Ten Hag backs Onana despite more struggles in Man Utd defeat
Erik ten Hag must unleash his ruthless streak once again and make four changes when Manchester United host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday. The Red Devils will fight to avoid a fourth home defeat in five games as they look to enter the October international break on a much-needed high note.
Brentford are enduring a disappointing season of their own but are bound to take confidence from Crystal Palace and Galatasaray’s victories at Old Trafford over the last week.
Express Sport runs through four players Ten Hag must bench to ensure that doesn’t happen and United get back on track in the Premier League.
Victor Lindelof
Victor Lindelof is evidently third in Ten Hag’s centre-back pecking order behind Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
But how many more lives can he have? Lindelof was culpable for losing Joachim Anderson for Palace’s winner last Saturday and was just as porous when United shipped three goals to Galatasaray on Tuesday.
The partnership between Varane and Lindelof simply isn’t working. Harry Maguire deserves a chance to reclaim his spot while Martinez recovers from his second foot surgery this year.
Admittedly, neither are of the quality required to start games for United. But Maguire may as well start packing his bags now if Ten Hag doesn’t believe he can improve on Lindelof’s recent exploits.
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Casemiro
Casemiro has featured in all 10 of United’s games this season, but it’s time for him to drop out and get some rest.
Sergio Reguilon reportedly returned to training at Carrington on Friday, potentially soothing Ten Hag’s left-back injury crisis.
If he’s fit enough to return against Brentford, Ten Hag can move Sofyan Amrabat into the holding midfield role he was brought in to play.
And it will hand Casemiro, who has looked the definition of leggy this season, the chance to catch his breath before Brazil duty.
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Hannibal Mejbri
Hannibal Mejbri has done little wrong with the chances that Ten Hag has provided in recent weeks, earning his spot as a regular starter.
United need to go for Brentford, though. The Red Devils must make a statement and bring balance back to the attack by recalling Antony.
He returned to action off the bench on Tuesday after missing a month while addressing accusations of abuse – which he strongly denies and has supported the police investigation to prove his innocence.
Antony starting on the right will be a significant boost, moving Bruno Fernandes back centrally alongside Mason Mount.
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Marcus Rashford
At the start of the season, the prospect of discussing whether Marcus Rashford is worthy of keeping his place in Ten Hag’s side in October was unthinkable. It feels unlikely he’ll be dropped as a result.
But the 25-year-old hasn’t built on his career-best 30-goal 2022/23 season, scoring just once so far this term. And his indecisive display against Galatasaray proved how low on confidence he is.
Ten Hag could consider taking him out of the spotlight so his situation doesn’t worsen and to prevent his poor form from stifling the attack.
Alejandro Garnacho, who became a first-time father this week, looks bright every time he enters the pitch and deserves a chance to make the left-wing spot his own.
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