Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind will start Manchester United's Premier League opener against Tottenham, Louis van Gaal has confirmed.

The trio were named in Van Gaal's starting line-up for pre-season friendlies against Barcelona and PSG, but all three were withdrawn before the full-time whistle in both matches.

The Dutchman has a full complement of defensive options going into the new campaign, with Bastian Schweinsteiger the only member of his first-team squad currently sidelined.

It makes a refreshing change for Van Gaal, who was forced to field Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett in his first competitive game as United boss 12 months ago - a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea.

“I have to start with the formation and when the formation is doing well, I let them pay in that formation,” Van Gaal told reporters following Wednesday's defeat to PSG.

Who will be Manchester United's marquee signing this summer? 7 show all Who will be Manchester United's marquee signing this summer? 1/7 Thomas Muller Described as priceless by his chairman at the weekend, Muller is no stranger to Van Gaal's methods having played under him for Bayern. A rangy forward with an uncanny ability to always pop up in the right place, he has been a star of two successive World Cup's by the age of just 25. He many not possess the direct threat of a Ronaldo, but would undoubtedly vastly improve United's attacking options. GETTY 2/7 Cristiano Ronaldo The most obvious target but probably the hardest to secure. Ronaldo made his name as a Manchester United player in a terrific six-year spell as David Beckham's heir apparent in the number seven shirt. Talk of a return from Madrid - where he has established himself as one of the world's two best players - has never really gone away and United's best chance may come in the form of his advancing years. Ronaldo is now 30 and Madrid may reach a point when they think their man is worth as much as he is ever going to be, and decide to cash in. Getty 3/7 Gareth Bale Another Real man who continues to be linked with Old Trafford, Wales international Bale endured a difficult second season in the Spanish capital after scoring in a victorious Champions League final in the first. Boos from the Madrid fans gave the impression all was not well, and his pace and direct style would certainly fit in with what United and their fans crave. There has been no suggestion of Real wanting to sell, though, and Bale has been a firm fixture throughout their pre-season commitments. GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images 4/7 Harry Kane Kane is certainly not a free-spirited player but his ability to make something out of nothing in the penalty area would appeal to many United fans. He scored 32 goals for club and country in a break-out season last term and, although Tottenham have shown no willingness to sell, the Old Trafford club would currently offer Kane a higher level of football to play at. Getty 5/7 Zlatan Ibrahimovic The Swedish striker is far from everybody's cup of tea, but could bring a wealth of experience to the Old Trafford table. Sparks would be likely to fly in regards to his relationship with Louis van Gaal, but the pair could also produce something special together. However, it now seems to be unlikely that the front man will be persuaded to leave the French capital this summer after he admitted that he expects to stay at the Parc des Princes. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 6/7 Pedro Perhaps the easiest of the deals to be done, Barcelona forward Pedro has been linked with United all summer and a deal seems possible. Pedro has found opportunities in Barca's frontline harder to come by since the arrival of Luis Suarez and his pace and eye for a goal would vastly increase United's options. Barcelona's forward Pedro Rodriguez celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Cordoba CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Ima 7/7 Edinson Cavani The Paris Saint-Germain and Uruguay striker continues to divide opinions. Few can question his form at Napoli earlier in his career but he has only displayed his talent in glimpses on the big stage in Ligue 1. Yet the forward's power and presence could prove to be the perfect foil for the smaller, more technically sound players within United's squad. Laurent Blanc would be eager to recoup a large proportion of the £50 million PSG paid for the front man's services two years ago, which may prove to be too costly for Van Gaal. Getty 1/7 Thomas Muller Described as priceless by his chairman at the weekend, Muller is no stranger to Van Gaal's methods having played under him for Bayern. A rangy forward with an uncanny ability to always pop up in the right place, he has been a star of two successive World Cup's by the age of just 25. He many not possess the direct threat of a Ronaldo, but would undoubtedly vastly improve United's attacking options. GETTY 2/7 Cristiano Ronaldo The most obvious target but probably the hardest to secure. Ronaldo made his name as a Manchester United player in a terrific six-year spell as David Beckham's heir apparent in the number seven shirt. Talk of a return from Madrid - where he has established himself as one of the world's two best players - has never really gone away and United's best chance may come in the form of his advancing years. Ronaldo is now 30 and Madrid may reach a point when they think their man is worth as much as he is ever going to be, and decide to cash in. Getty 3/7 Gareth Bale Another Real man who continues to be linked with Old Trafford, Wales international Bale endured a difficult second season in the Spanish capital after scoring in a victorious Champions League final in the first. Boos from the Madrid fans gave the impression all was not well, and his pace and direct style would certainly fit in with what United and their fans crave. There has been no suggestion of Real wanting to sell, though, and Bale has been a firm fixture throughout their pre-season commitments. GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images 4/7 Harry Kane Kane is certainly not a free-spirited player but his ability to make something out of nothing in the penalty area would appeal to many United fans. He scored 32 goals for club and country in a break-out season last term and, although Tottenham have shown no willingness to sell, the Old Trafford club would currently offer Kane a higher level of football to play at. Getty 5/7 Zlatan Ibrahimovic The Swedish striker is far from everybody's cup of tea, but could bring a wealth of experience to the Old Trafford table. Sparks would be likely to fly in regards to his relationship with Louis van Gaal, but the pair could also produce something special together. However, it now seems to be unlikely that the front man will be persuaded to leave the French capital this summer after he admitted that he expects to stay at the Parc des Princes. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 6/7 Pedro Perhaps the easiest of the deals to be done, Barcelona forward Pedro has been linked with United all summer and a deal seems possible. Pedro has found opportunities in Barca's frontline harder to come by since the arrival of Luis Suarez and his pace and eye for a goal would vastly increase United's options. Barcelona's forward Pedro Rodriguez celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Cordoba CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Ima 7/7 Edinson Cavani The Paris Saint-Germain and Uruguay striker continues to divide opinions. Few can question his form at Napoli earlier in his career but he has only displayed his talent in glimpses on the big stage in Ligue 1. Yet the forward's power and presence could prove to be the perfect foil for the smaller, more technically sound players within United's squad. Laurent Blanc would be eager to recoup a large proportion of the £50 million PSG paid for the front man's services two years ago, which may prove to be too costly for Van Gaal. Getty

“Also, a benefit of this year’s tour is that we don't have any injuries. Last year I was forced to use, for example, Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard in the first Premier League match. Now, I have a wider selection and I can use everybody who I think I have to use.

"There is more competition now and there is more balance in the selection. I have a lot of confidence to start the competition.”