Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said there are “question marks” over Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw’s fitness and discussed Lisandro Martinez, Jadon Sancho and Mason Mount ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday (3pm BST).
Ten Hag has a raft of defensive concerns before the arch-rivals meet in a repeat of the FA Cup final which United won in May, but centre-back Martinez could play for the first time since being part of Argentina’s Copa America 2024 triumph, while Mount and Sancho have featured in pre-season.
“We put them on off-season programmes but they all started pre-season [at different times],” Ten Hag said of his players. “From individual to individual, we’ll assess them and make a decision on whether they start, are on the bench or not in the squad.
“We’ll think about Licha [Martinez] being involved. Jadon can play across the whole frontline. He’s an option for more than one position.”
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— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 8, 2024
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Community Shield 2024: United want trophy
“It depends on how you pick the team, looking at your own tactics and game models but also what fits the best against opponents,” added Ten Hag.
“We will put out a team that is very competitive to win this trophy, but it’s also pre-season. We won’t take risks with big players.”
Martinez played only 14 times for United last season, while injuries have meant former England international Mount has rarely been available since joining for £55 million from Chelsea in June 2023.
“We know he’s a high-class player,” Ten Hag said of the 25-year-old. “He had a very bad season, a very tough season for him because of all his injuries.
“We are very pleased that he has had a very good pre-season. I’m sure he will now offer continuity if he stays fit, as is the case for every player.”
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— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 8, 2024
Man United transfer news
United paid Lille £52m for defender Leny Yoro – who is expected to be out for three months through an injury he sustained in pre-season – and spent £36.5m on Bologna attacker Joshua Zirkzee this summer.
“You’ve seen that the market is still quiet,” smiled Ten Hag. “We’ve done our business with one or two deals. It’s about timing and the market options, the right moment to do the right things.
“We know what we’re doing. We’re in a good position with the squad. There is double-occupation in every position.”
The 20-time champions begin their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on August 16 (8pm), when they will hope to avoid a repeat of their last-gasp defeat to the Cottagers at Old Trafford in February.
