Man Utd and Ruben Amorim returned to Carrington for pre-season training yesterday to signal the beginning of a new season on the horizon.
Most of the players were back including the likes of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad, Luke Shaw, Andre Onana, Matthijs De Ligt, new signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon and many more.
Some had not returned such as Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot having been given extra time off after the tragic death of former Portugal teammate Diogo Jota.
I've seen a lot of people discussing this topic of who would be in Amorim's strongest XI with the current available players and so I thought, let's have a crack at it.
This is imagining the season is starting tomorrow and doesn't include players who are injured or were towards the end of last season. I don't know if someone like De Ligt will be ready as he missed the final few games. Bruno and Dalot will also be included in the lineup because it isn't necessarily injury-related as to why they aren't back in training so you can bet that the manager will pick them.
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Predicted Lineup

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And we begin on the back foot.
Andre Onana will be the goalkeeper not only for the first game but I suspect for the entire season. I'm sure you saw his smile when entering the training ground yesterday which would suggest that he will be the no 1 next season.
Good Lord, we're doomed π.
The three ahead of him will consist of Mazraoui (who was injured on the final day against Villa but knowing him, he'll be back), Maguire down the middle and Yoro to the left. While Yoro also had his injury problems, he did play in the Europa League final so I think he'll be good.
That isn't actually a bad back three tbh.
The two wing-backs will consist of Dorgu and Dalot. Amorim has severl options but for the first game, I think he'll go with a tried and trusted pair.
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The midfield duo will see the skipper Bruno but as to who his partner will be, I don't actually know. I've selected Ugarte but there's no reason as to why it can't be Casemiro.
The front three should see new signing Cunha next to Amad with Hojlund up front. Again, that isn't too bad other than Rasmus.
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I would look to make changes to that side.

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I'd start of with the midfield. Casemiro and Ugarte will by my preferred pairing because they had a good thing going before Amorim foolishly dropped Ugarte and also the fact that Bruno isn't the best no 8, we don't know what Mainoo's best position is and Collyer is a youngster.
Casemiro and Ugarte also provided us with stability as well as an attacking threat whenever they ventured forward.
This would then mean that Bruno can move into his best position alongside Cunha as the other no 10. To have two of the more creative players like that in the side behind a struggling striker could give us what we need in the final thrid. Bruno in that area is also better served than playing deeper where his best attributes are wasted.
Amad can then move to the RWB position which is where a lot of people want to see him play. Amad is better as a winger than a more central figure (no 10) as out wide, there can be more space for him to exploit. He's also really good at 1-v-1s which again, is better suited down the flank.
Having these players in these positions would also allow Amorim to have more attackers on the field. One thing United were lacking last season was creativity and goals. Bruno, Amad and Cunha are three of the more creative players who also know how to score. Between the three of them, they scored 45 goals in all competitions last season. This trio also grabbed 35 assists.
With that pair in midfield, a solid back three behind them and three creatives in the side who can also score, I believe this is the better lineup to go with that will give us a better chance come the first game against Arsenal.
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It isn't the best as ideally we'd like to have a top striker, better goalkeeper, another midfielder and Mbeumo, but nor is are those lineups terrible.
What do you think though? Who do you believe Ruben Amorim will select as his first lineup if the first match was tomorrow? What would be your ideal XI with those available?
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Ruben Amorim and Man Utd returned to pre-season training yesterday ahead of the 25/26 season | Ruben Amorim: Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images via Stretty News