Manchester United’s 22-member squad for Saturday’s blockbuster pre-season clash against Paris Saint-Germain just dropped, and while new summer recruits Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos are finally in, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens are already out, sidelined by minor illnesses. Talk about a curveball right out of the gate for what’s supposed to be a big test!
New Blood and Returning Firepower Hit the Road
Fans have been waiting to catch a glimpse of summer signing Youri Tielemans, and he’s made the travelling party, alongside fellow new face Andrey Santos. This is huge, right? Coach Michael Carrick now has the chance to try out a brand new midfield partnership against Luis Enrique’s tough side. Plus, some of the big guns who were still recovering from World Cup duty are back in the mix. Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Noussair Mazraoui all returned from their post-tournament break last week, and they’ve been named in the squad too. You gotta think their experience is going to be vital for this early test.
Missing Pieces and Academy Mix-Up
On the flip side, it’s a bummer to hear about Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens staying behind at Carrington. The club confirmed both are dealing with minor illnesses, which is never what you want heading into a big pre-season game. Oddly enough, they’re still set to head to the Republic of Ireland for next week’s training camp, so hopefully it’s nothing too serious. And Benjamin Sesko? Still no sign of him! Joshua Zirkzee got the nod in the squad instead of the Slovenian, which is definitely something to keep an eye on. While a few academy wonderkids like JJ Gabriel missed out, young talents Tyler Fletcher and Jack Fletcher are still holding onto their spots in the squad.
A True Test Against Europe’s Best
This isn’t just any friendly; the 20-time English league champions are taking on the defending Champions League winners at the Nya Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg. This match is going to be a massive indicator of where United stands compared to Europe’s elite sides as they gear up for their own return to the Champions League. It’s the kind of game that sets the tone for the season. After this clash, the Old Trafford side is heading straight into a training camp, and that’s where the remaining World Cup stars like Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez are expected to finally rejoin the squad.
After the PSG showdown and the training camp, United doesn’t slow down. They’re set to face arch-rivals Leeds in Dublin’s Croke Park next Wednesday. Then, it’s their final pre-season game against Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland, on Saturday, August 15. Every single one of these matches is a critical step in building momentum before the real action starts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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