Manchester United is set to face Arsenal, either with a training squad or a starting lineup! After reaching out to Paris Saint-Germain's goalkeeper, they opted out, spending £80 million to sign him.

As August arrives, the countdown to the new Premier League season begins, with Manchester United's first match against Arsenal at Old Trafford. Reports indicate that the Red Devils aim to finish in the top six next season. While this target may seem modest, the fierce competition in the Premier League makes breaking into the top six a challenging task. Ruben Amorim hopes to secure a winning start, but first, he needs to finalize his starting lineup.

Manchester United's warm-up matches have seen them triumph over last season's victors, West Ham and Bournemouth, which has provided some encouragement. However, it is well known that the true test lies in competitive matches, where the intensity far exceeds that of many teams' casual commercial games.

Amorim needs a strong start to quell external doubts about his performance in the Premier League. He must select the right starters to effectively implement his tactical vision and achieve good results. Certain positions in Manchester United's lineup are clear-cut, such as the center-back roles occupied by De Ligt and Leny Yoro, while another center-back will be chosen from young Eden Haven and veterans Maguire and Luke Shaw. Lisandro Martinez has yet to return to full training, reportedly hoping to make a comeback after the international break in September.

The competition for the defensive midfield role will be among Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes, with Casemiro missing out on starting positions in the warm-up matches. Though he performed well in the Europa League last season, he seems to struggle to keep pace in the Premier League. The left-back position may be secured by Patrick Dorgu, whom Amorim brought in for €30 million, while the right side will be contested between Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot. Given Arsenal's strong attacking capabilities, the Portuguese full-back may have a better chance. Mazraoui might have been a preferable choice, but his injury kept him out of the warm-up matches, affecting preparations.

Despite numerous rumors surrounding Sheshko, it seems unlikely that Manchester United will sign him before the first Premier League match and integrate him into the team. Therefore, if Amorim insists on fielding a genuine striker, Hoylund may temporarily retain his starting position. Another striker, Zirkzee, has yet to play in any warm-up matches due to injury, putting him behind his teammates in preparation.

However, the situation regarding the goalkeeper position is less clear. Manchester United hopes to sign a new keeper who can compete with Andre Onana for the starting spot. Onana is currently injured, with the 29-year-old Cameroonian sidelined due to a hamstring issue during pre-season training. Although he participated in the club's tour of the USA, he has been focusing on personal fitness training throughout.

Onana still hopes to recover in time for the match against Arsenal, but if he lacks match fitness, Amorim may find it challenging to make a decision regarding the goalkeeper position. Bayindir is still considered the second-choice keeper, but Tom Heaton's performances have been more reliable than his.

Heaton excelled in the midweek match against Bournemouth, where the 39-year-old veteran kept a clean sheet, saving two certain goals. He also made two crucial saves in the warm-up match against Leeds United, preventing a loss. People often mock Heaton as Manchester United's training goalkeeper, primarily due to his age, which limits his appearances for the team. However, there is no doubt that Heaton is currently the most stable and reliable goalkeeper in the first team.

Initially, he was expected to leave as a free agent this summer, but the club later signed him to a new one-year contract. British media now even suggest that Amorim's best choice for the starting goalkeeper in the first Premier League match is Heaton!

Heaton's priority for starting should be above Bayindir, and some even believe he could replace Onana. While this is unlikely, if Onana's fitness is insufficient for the match against Arsenal, Heaton may have a chance to play.

In terms of goalkeeper recruitment, Manchester United had discussions with Paris Saint-Germain and Donnarumma. However, unless there is a significant clearance of current goalkeepers, the club is unlikely to sign the 26-year-old Italian international, even though his price might only be £35 million, given he has just one year left on his contract with PSG.

Donnarumma's transfer fee may not be high, but his weekly wage is substantial. At PSG, he earns £210,000 per week, totaling nearly £11 million per season. Assuming a four-year contract, that would amount to £44 million, plus the transfer fee, bringing the total cost close to £80 million. If "Moneybags" were signed without Onana leaving, it would mean Manchester United's goalkeeper wage expenditure would reach £400,000 per week, which is simply not feasible.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stated, "I have received a lot of information about Manchester United. I was told that there have been no negotiations between Manchester United, PSG, and Donnarumma at this moment, around the end of July and early August."

Reports suggest that Manchester United's budget will primarily focus on signing a main striker. According to "Competitive Network," if Donnarumma joins the Premier League, Chelsea is more likely to be his next destination.