Manchester United can unleash next phase of Erik ten Hag rebuild vs Arsenal

Onana’s introduction

For now Manchester United have five goalkeepers on their pre-season tour but all the focus against Arsenal will be on Andre Onana, who is set to make his first appearance for the club.

The 27-year-old trained with his teammates for the first time on Friday and you would expect he would get at least 45 minutes against the Gunners.

It will be a fascinating introduction to the side for Onana, who is the prototype goalkeeper for Erik ten Hag’s approach but also someone with a daredevil approach to the role.

His ability with his feet is a contrast to David de Gea but he will leave hearts in mouths at times as well. There’s nothing riding on this game but it will be a chance for Onana’s teammates to begin the adaption of getting used to his style.

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A test for Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo has made three competitive appearances for the United first team but this friendly could be the best chance yet to see how the 18-year-old stacks up against truly elite midfielders.

It’s the luck of selection as to who he comes up against with plenty of substitutions likely, but United wouldn’t mind him facing off against Declan Rice.

Mainoo is very highly-rated by United staff and is set for more first-team exposure this season, but if he can hold his own against Rice and Arsenal it will be further proof that he is ready to play now, rather than needing a loan spell.

Ones that got away

All three of Arsenal’s new boys have already been involved in pre-season and will play against United at the MetLife Stadium, but all three could potentially have been in the United side.

There was brief interest in Kai Havertz before he moved to Chelsea in