Manchester United will face Brighton & Hove Albion at home in their first Premier League game of the 2022/23 season. It will mark Erik ten Hag's first test in England as a manager and it seems fitting that it will be in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
United lost their last fixture against Brighton 4-0, in a game that highlighted a number of the weaknesses in their team under Ralf Rangnick but also how well Graham Potter had drilled his side. Fans will be hoping that Ten Hag will be able to get his side to a similar level of tactical understanding quickly.
Getting the tactics nailed down will likely happen a lot further down the line, but most United fans will be considering what Ten Hag's first XI will look like. So including some potential signings, let's have a look at how the team could set his side up in the first match of the season.
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David de Gea - With the Manchester Evening News understanding that United are in talks to loan Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest this season, De Gea is the only starting keeper the club have. So this decision is easy for Ten Hag, though fans will still have to wait and see whether the Spanish shot-stopper is able to adapt to the Dutchman's brand of football.
Denzel Dumfries - The first signing in the eleven, but it is clear that United want to strengthen in the right-back area and Dumfries might be the man to do it. Reports in Italy have stated that Inter Milan would be willing to sell the player for around €30m this summer and he would be an upgrade going forward on any of the club's other options.
Harry Maguire - Though Maguire had a bad season in 2021/22, he still has a lot to offer United and is the club's best centre-back on the ball. Under Ten Hag and with a more settled system it is hoped that the English defender will be able to recapture his best form.
Raphael Varane - This may come down to whether the French defender has fully recovered from his hamstring injury that he suffered during the international break this summer in time to have a good pre-season. United didn't see the best of the former Real Madrid defender last season but they will be hoping he can prove the difference in the upcoming one.
Luke Shaw - Shaw offers versatility and over the past few seasons has shown that he is the club's most progressive player and this will be needed if the Dutchman's side is going to effectively build from the back.
Ibrahim Sangare - The second signing on the list; United have needed a defensive midfielder for years now and the 24-year-old Ivorian has been linked with a move to Old Trafford by Sky Sports. He would hopefully form a formidable pivot with the next name in the starting XI if the club were to sanction a move for him.
Frenkie de Jong - De Jong is Ten Hag's number one target, and although Barcelona are playing hardball over a price, many outlets have reported that United are pushing to confirm a deal. The Dutchman would be an upgrade in possession over the club's current options in midfield.
Bruno Fernandes - United's best player on his day and hopefully in a more regimented system he'll be able to cut out his frustrating tendencies to force chances.
Jadon Sancho - The £73m winger did not set the world alight last season, but he is United's future. Hopefully, Ten Hag can get the most out of the player and help him deliver on the talent and promise he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
Cristiano Ronaldo - United don't have any other natural strikers and it's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Antony - The final signing that has been included; Mike Verweij reported that United were set to open talks with Ajax to reunite Antony with Ten Hag at Old Trafford. The Brazilian is a tricky winger who would add dynamism to United's right-wing and he's also left footed, meaning he can effectively cut in.
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