Ruben Amorim takes his United side to the Lincolnshire coast for a first meeting with Grimsby Town in 77 years.
The Reds will hope to avoid being all at sea against the fourth tier Mariners in the unchartered waters of the Carabao Cup second round.
United are still searching for a first win of the campaign and this tie against League Two opposition will provide a perfect opportunity to get our season up and running.
There are expected to be several changes with many of United's big names given the night off, but Amorim is likely to still select a relatively strong side.
Here is how we think the Reds will line up at Blundell Park.
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| Home of Grimsby Town FC, Blundell Park |
Andre Onana is out of favour and the unconvincing Altay Bayindir has started the first two league games. The 39-year-old veteran has started only three games since returning for his second spell at Old Trafford - two of which came in this competition during United's run to Wembley which ultimately ended in glory.
Heaton shouldn't expect a busy night against a Grimsby side who will likely defend in numbers, so this is ideal for him to get a run out
RCB - Tyler Fredricson
The young defender caught the eye on the left hand side of the three-man defence when he made a long-awaited debut last term. With United minds on Bilbao, Fredricson impressed against Wolves and Brentford and has stayed at the club despite being linked to a move away. I'd like to see him get another go here.
CB - Harry Maguire
The senior man in United's back three, Maguire will start after two brief substitute appearances. With regular skipper Bruno Fernandes to be given the night off, expect Maguire to be named as stand in skipper for this one.
LCB - Ayden Heaven
Came on late against Fulham and, with Mathijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro rested, will come into the defence. Like his senior partner Maguire, this will be Heaven's first start of the season and he will lay down his claim to displace the current Yoro/De Ligt/Shaw triumvirate. Heaven impressed in his debut campaign at Old Trafford and this will be a good opportunity for him to get minutes in the legs.
RWB - Noussair Mazraoui
Missed the latter part of pre-season and the first two competitive fixtures with a knock, but Amorim has said the Moroccan full-back is close to a return. This tie could come too soon but, if fit, it's a good platform for Mazraoui to get a run out and up to speed. One of the few players to consistently impress last term, Mazraoui's return provides United will strength in depth in an important area of the team
CM - Kobbie Mainoo
There has been much furore over Mainoo's absence from the side against Arsenal and Fulham. He hasn't even played a minute amidst doubts over his future. But we expect him to get his chance in this one with Casemiro and Fernandes to get the night off. He's better than a rotation option against a League Two side, but - if he impresses - might he force his way back into Amorim's thinking? Surely this is the game for Mainoo.
CM - Manuel Ugarte
After chaotic cameos in two sub appearances, let's hope we see a more controlled and composed Ugarte here. He should see plenty of the ball, and his link up with Mainoo will be key with United expected to monopolise possession and break down Grimsby. Largley seen as one of Mainoo's rivals for this position in midfield, with the pair having played alongside each other only ten times last season. This will be the eleventh and the under-pressure Uruguyuan needs a good showing.
LWB - Diego Leon
The most unheralded of United's four summer signings, Leon is another South American export hoping to impress. Expected to ply his trade in the youth set up with an eventual pathway to senior football, Leon will be eyeing this tie for his Reds bow. Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu will be rested, paving the way for Leon to become United's latest debutant. It will give us a first look at the young Paraguyuan - the first man from that nation to turn out for our first team.
CAM - Amad
Yet to hit the heights of last season, Amad came on against Arsenal but was hooked early at Fulham. He will operate further forward at Blundell Park charged with sparking United's rotated attack into life. The young Ivorian was one of the very few bright spots in our dismal season last term, and will again look to be tormentor-in-chief. Like some of his colleagues, Amad will hope a strong performance here will help him kick on after a frustrating start to the campaign.
CAM - Joshua Zirkzee
With big money summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo not needed here, Zirkzee will get his first minutes of the season. The Dutch forward can play through the middle or in a deeper playmaking role. Zirkzee was much malinged during his early months as a United player but enjoyed something of a renaissance in the second half of last season. Although not prolific, Zirkzee will fancy his chances of a profitable night's work against a fourth tier defence. Worked hard to turn around his fortunes with his movement and link up play impressive and will surely get his opportunity here.
ST - Benjamin Sesko
Although United have the likes of Chido Obi waiting in the wings, we think Sesko will come in for his first start in Red. The giant Slovenian needs minutes and momentum as he gets up to speed with the English game after two sub appearances in which he we did not see the best of him. Once that first goal goes in an opposition net, Sesko's confidence will rise and he will be an entirely different proposition. This Carabao Cup tie provides an ideal opportunity for that impact to be made and put him in the picture for a first league start against Burnley on Saturday.
A rotated Reds side but still a team with plenty of experience and one that should be strong enough to get the job done. The bench will feature several youngsters - perhaps the likes of Godwill Kukonki, Harry Amass, Obi and the Fletcher brothers Tyler and Jack. There may well be a few first team names there too with Cunha, Fernandes and Casemiro et al. Just in case...
Prediction: You can never safely predict the outcome of a United match, but surely even we cannot mess this one up. We think it could be tight and scrappy for an hour but then Grimsby will tire and United's superior quality shines through. Amorim's side to win it
Grimsby Town 0-3 Man Utd
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