Manchester United squad vs Leicester revealed - key names missing

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Manchester United will likely line up in a 4-3-3 for their opening fixture of the new Premier League season against Leicester City.

Jose Mourinho has something of a selection headache given the amount of injuries to his players going into the 2018/19 campaign, and the fact a lot of his team represented their respective nations at the World Cup.

Despite his exploits for Spain, David De Gea is expected to start between the sticks for United, who successfully fended off Real Madrid for his services this summer, with Los Blancos landing Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea instead.

At right-back you can expect to see a man who was apparently sold more than once in this summer's transfer in Matteo Darmian, illustrating just how short United are in defence due to injuries.

Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly - neither of whom were at the World Cup - will likely fill the centre-back positions, while the previously out-of-favour Luke Shaw is set to start left-back, due to an injury to Ashley Young.

Moving into midfielder and a number of first team players are set to be rested.

Paul Pogba, who won the World Cup with France, will likely miss the fixture with Scott McTominay filling his shoes.

The Scot is expected to be joined by new signing Fred and Andreas Pereira.

Moving into attack and Alexis Sanchez will likely lead the line ahead of Romelu Lukaku, who represented Belgium at the World Cup.

Either side of him will no doubt be the well-rested Juan Mata and a surprise selection in Marcus Rashford who is set to start despite playing for England in Russia.

The winger is expected to get the nod over team-mate Anthony Martial due to the Frenchman being recently omitted from United's squad against Bayern Munich.

The former Monaco man had a turbulent summer amid claims he could be sold, and left United's pre-season tour early to be with his wife as she gave birth to his son.

"He [Martial] didn't have a pre-season," said Mourinho. "Three days of pre-season.

"He didn't have nine days of pre-season where no training, no football, absolutely nothing. He's in the group of players who didn't have a pre-season, it's as simple as that."

Confirmed Manchester United squad members

Goalkeepers:

David De Gea, Lee Grant, Matej Kovar.

Defenders:

Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindleof, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw.

Midfielders:

Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Fred, Andreas Pereira, Marouane Fellaini.

Forwards:

Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial.