Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti may continue to experiment with a 4-4-2 diamond formation in Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Manchester United at NRG Stadium in Texas.
Los Blancos predominantly operated with a 4-3-3 setup last season, but following the departure of star striker Karim Benzema, Ancelotti decided to name a four-man diamond-shaped midfield for the 3-2 comeback win over AC Milan on Monday, with summer signing Jude Bellingham taking up the No.10 role.
Ancelotti heaped praise on Bellingham following his debut against Milan and believes that the 19-year-old Englishman is best suited to play in the No.10 position, so another start in behind two central strikers could be on the cards for the former Birmingham City youngster.
One midfielder who will play no part in pre-season is Dani Ceballos, who is ruled out until September with a thigh injury sustained in training last week.
Federico Valverde scored two second-half goals in the victory over Milan and he could continue on the right side of the midfield diamond, while Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni are set to battle for the remaining two midfield spots.
New recruits Joselu and Brahim Diaz were tasked with leading the line from the start last time out, but either Spaniard could make way at the expense of Vinicius Junior, who came off the substitutes' bench to net the winning goal against Milan.
First-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be recalled at the expense of Andriy Lunin, while defensive trio Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger will all be pushing to start after beginning as substitutes against Milan.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Kroos; Valverde, Modric; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius
> Click here to see how Manchester United could line up for this contest
Oliver Thomas
