Erik ten Hag may have dropped Manchester United strongest team hint against Real Madrid

Manchester United's 2023/2024 Premier League season kicks off in just 17 days and all eyes will soon turn to that August 14 meeting with Wolves.

Erik ten Hag will hope to build on a strong first season in Manchester in which he secured a third-place finish and the Carabao Cup. Maintaining that level is not enough, however, and to stand still is to move backwards in this league.

The Dutchman has already seen two major signings come through the door, with Mason Mount and Andre Onana arriving from Chelsea and Ajax respectively for nearly £100million combined. A world-class No.9 is expected to follow, with growing optimism it will be Rasmus Hojlund.

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Mount has been present throughout pre-season but Onana made his first appearance during the 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid in the early hours of Thursday morning. The former Inter Milan shot-stopper was part of a strong team named by Ten Hag.

In fact, it could be argued that the Dutchman picked his strongest possible 11 against Madrid as he builds towards that meeting with Wolves. Fitness continues to be the main focus with several players getting 60 minutes under their belt, but with just three more friendlies to go, on-pitch relationships are becoming increasingly important.

Onana wasted no time in getting to know the defence he will most likely spend his season behind, and despite a small miscommunication with Lisandro Martinez, he gelled well with the Argentinian, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Kobbie Mainoo only lasted three minutes before