Manchester United begin their pre-season campaign on Wednesday with boss Erik ten Hag still unsure of the make-up of his squad.
United land in Oslo for a friendly against Leeds, with Ten Hag facing several unresolved issues – with the start of the Premier League season just four weeks away. Ten Hag is still without a No.1 goalkeeper, after David De Gea's exit and United having yet to agree a fee with Inter Milan for £43million-rated Cameroonian star Andre Onana.
Although United are edging closer to an agreement with Inter over Onana, with personal terms not an issue, a compromise over the fee is said to be still some way off. Star striker Marcus Rashford has entered the final year of his contract and has yet to reach an agreement with United over a extension, with the England forward's future increasingly uncertain.
United have also been unable to offload squad players to raise funds to strengthen their squad, with Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Fred and Scott McTominay still on the club's books. Another major headache for Ten Hag is the future ownership of United, with the proposed takeover still not sorted, despite final bids for the club having been submitted weeks ago.
While Ten Hag recognises such issues take time, the United boss is keen for his squad to take shape as swiftly as possible, ahead of an eight-game pre-season programme. After facing Leeds, United take on Lyon at Murrayfield, then travel to the US for a two-week tour where they will play Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
United face further warm-up games against Lens and Athletic Bilbao, before opening the new Premier League season at home to Wolves on Monday, August 14 at Old Trafford.
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A plus for Ten Hag is that he does have one new arrival through the door in Mason Mount. The Red Devils wrapped up an initial £55million transfer deal last week, signing the England international midfielder from Chelsea.
Mount, 24, is eager to get going under Ten Hag and hopes to be involved from the off against Leeds. "Once I knew that United were involved, my decision was made up," United's new No.7 told club media. "Getting in early and ready for pre-season to start was a main objective of mine.
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Mount, who could play in various roles under Ten Hag, added of his new manager: "I can't wait to sit down with him and go through things and understand his way of working. I can't wait to get on that pitch in the next couple of months.
"I have always seen myself as a No.8 that can get forward and attack, create and score goals, but also be able to do the other side of things - defend and help the team when we are under pressure. I know what I can bring to this team, I know the team and the players and what we are capable of achieving."
