Manchester United could lose two of their eight dressing room leaders this summer
Man Utd play their first pre-season match this week when they face Leeds in Oslo.
David de Gea has left United with one less dressing room leader (Image: 2023 Daniel Chesterton/Offside)
There will be a different look to Manchester United when they line up for their first pre-season fixture against Leeds this week.
Erik ten Hag welcomed a selection of players back to Carrington for training last Thursday, but they will have to wait a while longer before some of the most senior stars return.
United are due to welcome back 15 international players over the next week ahead of leaving for their pre-season tour of the United States, with those who were involved in last month’s internationals entitled to a three-week break.
It means Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Anthony Elanga, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Facundo Pellistri, Alex Telles and Eric Bailly will not be involved in Oslo on Wednesday but will travel with the squad to Edinburgh for their match with Lyon on July 18.
United will fly straight from Edinburgh to New York ahead of their first US friendly against Arsenal, meaning that this week’s match against Leeds could be the only chance some players have to impress Ten Hag this summer.
Another player who will be missing is David de Gea, who confirmed his permanent departure from the club over the weekend. The Spaniard was never going to feature against Leeds while he was out-of-contract but would have gone on the tour had he agreed to a new deal.
While his exit has been expected for a few weeks, it will still be odd to get used to the fact that he has gone after 12 years at the club where he became part of the furniture.
It is also easy to forget just how good he has been. There is an element of revisionism about his ability after a difficult final season at the club, but at his best, he was the very best in the world. De Gea is still the only goalkeeper to ever win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, winning it four times during his Old Trafford spell.
De Gea might not be missed much amid his declining ability, but he will certainly leave a noticeable void in the dressing room as one of the most respected players. Although he was not the most vocal, when he did speak, people listened. He was an understated leader, highly regarded among his peers.
Last season, sources described the leadership group as “pretty fluid” and not entirely set, though it was considered that eight senior players were in it.
Maguire remained a member despite being effectively stripped of the armband, as did his replacement, Bruno Fernandes. The others were De Gea, Rashford, Shaw, Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Tom Heaton.
It might sound like a surprise to hear of Heaton’s seniority in the United squad, but he is the oldest member of the first-team and is well respected given his vast experience in the professional game.
Fernandes could be given the captain’s armband permanently this summer, and Shaw is now the longest-serving player left at the club. United have already extended Heaton’s contract for another year and have valued Maguire at £50million as a starting price for his sale.
The leadership group could be cut down to just six heading into the new season, though there is room for others to step up and take a place of their own. Eriksen, Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez are all rated by the manager and could all be considered.
Ten Hag will be heartened by the fact that he already has three possible replacements lined up, while summer signing Mason Mount provides lots of experience and might eventually be considered a key figure in the dressing room himself.
It highlights the culture shift and shows the winning mentality that is gradually being implemented from the top. United might be losing two leaders this summer, but they could have another four waiting in the wings.