Standard
Jadon Sancho will hope to make his Manchester United debut from the bench in today’s Premier League opener against Leeds, but Raphael Varane does not feature.
Sancho only returned to training this week following his £73million transfer from Borussia Dortmund after England’s run to the Euros final, and will likely make an appearance at some point this afternoon.
However, United have still to complete the final formalities of defender Varane’s switch from Real Madrid, so he has yet to train.
“Jadon is going to be involved, definitely,” Solskjaer said on Friday. “He’s had a good week.
“Unfortunately, he was ill after his holiday and we’ve lost out on a few days of training with him.
“But he’s gelled really well in the group and he has looked sharper than we expected almost. He’ll be involved. I can’t tell you if he’s going to start or not, though.”
With Varane yet to be registered, Victor Lindelof partners Harry Maguire at centre-back.
David de Gea starts the season as No1 goalkeeper with Dean Henderson still suffering fatigue after contracting Covid-19, while Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka complete the defence at wing-back.
In midfield, Solskjaer goes with Scott McTominay – who scored twice in the 6-2 win against Leeds last December – along with Fred.
Bruno Fernandes starts in attacking midfield as expected – and Paul Pogba completes the set.
Marcus Rashford is sidelined after shoulder surgery and Edinson Cavani is not available to face Leeds, with Mason Greenwood leading the line and Anthony Martial on the bench.
“Edi is in the country,” said Solskjaer. “He’s just finishing off his isolation period. He’s had a little bit of extra time for personal reasons.”
Alex Telles (ankle), Jesse Lingard (Covid-19), Phil Jones (knee) and Eric Bailly (Olympics) are also unavailable.
Man United vs Leeds lineups
Man United XI: De Gea, Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, James, Greenwood
Subs: Mata, Martial, Andreas Pereira, Dalot, Heaton, Sancho, Matic, Williams, Van de Beek
Leeds XI: Meslier, Struijk, Koch, Cooper, Ayling, Dallas, Klich, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison, Bamford
Subs: Firpo, Forshaw, Roberts, Klaesson, Helder Costa, Phillips, Shackleton, Summerville, Greenwood
