Jose Mourinho
Mourinho selects his first United squad on Saturday. Getty

KEY POINTS

  • United in action at the DW Stadium on Saturday.
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and David de Gea among those still away on holiday.
  • Mourinho suggested youngsters Axel Tuazebe and Tyrell Warren would be involved.

Jose Mourinho's reign as Manchester United manager kicks off without the glamour of a lucrative pre-season clash in the United States, but in the modest surroundings of Wigan Athletic's DW Stadium on Saturday (16 July).

United take on the newly-promoted Championship side with 13 members of their first-team still on holiday after campaigns at Euro 2016 and the Copa America. So what team will the new boss field? IBTimes UK look at Mourinho's possible first XI.

Sam Johnstone (Goalkeeper)

With David de Gea and Sergio Romero still on their holidays after international campaigns, Johnstone is likely to be given the nod ahead of last season's regular Under-21 shot stopper Joel Castro Pereira, who was today named in Portugal's Olympic squad.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Right-back)

The powerful Dutchman proved to be an exciting option in pretty much every position he was deployed in during the second half of last season. With Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian away, the 18-year-old will have an early opportunity to make the position his own.

Eric Bailly (Centre-half)

United fans can catch their first glimpse of the £30m signing from Villarreal. Mourinho anticipates the 22-year-old will need time to acclimatise to English football and could be given an early chance to begin that process on Saturday.

Phil Jones (Centre-half)

Rocking a fresh bleach-blonde barnet, Jones is someone desperate to make up for lost time after spending most of last season in the treatment room.

Luke Shaw (Left-back)

Shaw could make his first appearance since suffering that horrific double leg break in September 2015. United badly missed his presence on the left last season and ensuring he is back to full match fitness as soon as possible will be vital.

Luke Shaw
Shaw available again after recovering from double leg break. Getty

Michael Carrick (Centre midfield)

One of Mourinho's first decisions upon his official appointment at Old Trafford was to hand Carrick a contract extension. After a summer's rest, the new manager will be eager to see if the old head in midfield can still dictate games for him.

Ander Herrera (Centre midfield)

Another to have benefited from a summer off, Herrera will be eager to prove his worth again after an inconsistent second season in Manchester.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Right attacking midfielder)

The big-money signing from Borussia Dortmund could be handed a starting berth on the right hand side of Mourinho's attack.

Jesse Lingard (Central attacking midfielder)

The man who secured United's FA Cup triumph last season may lack some of the technical expertise of his teammates, but his work rate and willingness to follow instruction could see him restored in a central position, particularly with doubts over Juan Mata's future.

Jesse Lingard
Lingard's last kick of the ball for United won them the FA Cup. Getty

Adnan Januzaj (Left attacking midfielder)

Mourinho made no secret of his admiration for the Belgian when he first broke out on the scene three years ago. The 21-year-old has worked hard this summer to pack on some muscle mass, something that won't go unnoticed by the new boss.

James Wilson (Centre forward)

With all the other club's options at centre forward still away enjoying the sun, it's left between either Wilson or Will Keane to lead the line.

Substitutions

With so many players still away, Mourinho has already said he will turn to youth for Saturday's fixture, naming dropping Axel Tuanzebe and Tyrell Warren specifically in his first press conference. Memphis Depay, Ashley Young and Guillermo Varela are also among those available.