Predicted XI | The Season Opener - MUFC vs. Tottenham (8/8/2015)

GOAL | David De Gea

So who would have predicted this selection a couple of months ago?? As LVG looks set to begin his second season in charge of United, it looks like he's able to select De Gea, United's 2014/15 best player, in goal. The rumours are still persisting, unfortunately, with De Gea's girlfriend the latest person to spice up the situation. But with only three-and-a-half weeks remaining until the transfer window slams shut, we may just be able to hang on to the Spaniard for at least another season.

DEFENSE | Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw

Based on the pre-season friendlies it looks like Blind - who was last season's 'Jack of all trades...master of none' will be deployed at centre-back; presumably until Rojo has returned to full fitness? A more straight-forward selection at CB will be Chris 'Mike' Smalling, who van Gaal clearly holds in high regard after making him our second vice-captain after Carrick. The wing-backs - new boy Darmian on the right and Shaw on the left - are obvious selections for the manager.

MIDFIELD | Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera

A tricky one for United this, given the influx of midfielders this summer. However even with the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern, everyone knows that a fully-fit Carrick deserves a first team place every time. Although Young played on the left in United's final pre-season friendly - the 2-0 defeat against PSG - I think Herrera should be given the opportunity to build on his strong finish to last season. He clearly has a great relationship with Mata, linking up delightfully at times with his compatriot, so I expect to see him utilised more frequently this season. And Schneiderlin looks set to be a regular in the centre - it's just a case of whether he'll be positioned in a more central or defensive role, depending on the fitness and form of Michael Carrick.

ATTACK | Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young

Who would've thought we'd be going into the 2015/16 with both Mata and Young - two players who's United career's were supposed to suffer by the arrival of Di Maria last August - virtually guaranteed first team places? Of course the arrival of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven has posed a selection dilemma on the left, however the experienced Young should start the first game of the season with Depay coming off the bench to make his United debut. A lot has been made of Rooney's opportunity to shine in attack this season with the departures of Falcao and van Persie, so expect LVG's captain to be virtually unmovable this season (injuries permitting, of course!).