The new season is just around the corner and Manchester United face a baptism of fire to get their side prepared for the next year, as the Red Devils’ first competitive match of the season comes against Real Madrid in the European Super Cup.

Whilst winning the trophy won’t be Jose Mourinho’s priority ahead of the new season, the Portuguese boss will be keen to get one over his former employers and will want his side to make a statement of intent to the rest of the continent ahead of their return to the Champions League.

The Red Devils heavily rotated their squad last season, especially during the back-end of the campaign as they prioritised their quest for Europa League glory over their Premier League battle, but Mourinho may not be able to experience such joy this time around.

As such, Manchester United need to settle on a first-choice XI for the new season and this week’s pre-season friendly against Valerenga in Oslo, the sixth fixture for Mourinho’s side this summer, will give a huge insight as to what fans can expect to see.

Many have been wondering why we are yet to see Eric Bailly play alongside new signing Victor Lindelof in the five matches so far, with the Swede partnered with Chris Smalling and Bailly excelling alongside Phil Jones, and Mourinho has suggested we’ll find out why this week.

“I think we will understand the reason in a couple of days. I think in the next couple of days we will have the understanding of why I play Lindelof and Smalling.”

Ander Herrera and Juan Mata could remain absent, due to their respective injuries, and it’s the lack of depth in central midfield that’s proving to be the main cause of concern- although the latest reports suggest the capture of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea is imminent.

Manchester United’s selection for the pre-season clash with Manchester City in North America saw Mourinho pick an almost full-strength XI, with notable absentees being Anthony Martial, Bailly and Matteo Darmian, and the likely absence of Jesse Lingard, who’s played in all five matches so far, should give another member of the squad the chance to impress.

It’s time for Mourinho to stop swapping and changing though, as he needs to get his first-team gelled ahead of the huge test against Real Madrid on August 8th.