Erik ten Hag on the brink? We’ve seen this tale before.
A dire showing against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday ensured the debate surrounding the Dutchman’s Manchester United future resurfaced unrelentingly. His team are not heading in the right direction under his tutelage and many suspect Ten Hag has until the upcoming break to save his job.
Before that, the Red Devils have two tough away fixtures starting with a trip to Porto on Thursday night. Man Utd were frustratingly held by FC Twente in their Europa League league phase opener last week, so they need the points not merely for Ten Hag’s future but to ignite their continental campaign.
Here’s the team Ten Hag could pick for Thursday’s clash in Portugal.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Porto (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana – The goalkeeper was one of very few to escape Sunday’s defeat with an ounce of credibility. He prevented the scoreline from drifting into cricket score territory and is going to play the vast majority of United’s games in this competition.
RB: Noussair Mazraoui – The summer arrival has generally impressed at the start of his Man Utd career, but he struggled at the weekend and has a tough assignment against Galeno in this one.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – Harry Maguire’s status for Thursday’s game is unknown, but Leny Yoro remains out. De Ligt was poor against Tottenham, but neither Victor Lindelof nor Jonny Evans will be coming in to replace him.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – Ten Hag might want to consider managing Martinez’s minutes given his recent injury history, but the manager hasn’t really got a choice but to start the Argentine again in midweek.
LB: Diogo Dalot – Dalot’s enduring what some European managers might call a ‘bad moment’. He’s been poor of late, but Ten Hag has limited options at full-back given the injuries.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – Ugarte returns to a ground with which he’s familiar on Thursday given he spent a couple of years at Sporting CP. The midfielder has not had it easy at the start of his Man Utd career.
CM: Christian Eriksen – With Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount both likely to miss out, Ten Hag has a choice between Eriksen and Casemiro in the midfield pivot. He could go either way.
RW: Amad Diallo – There’s going to be a change down the flanks with Ten Hag bringing Amad back into the side. The young winger has offered bright sparks at the start of the new season, but he requires greater variety in order to reach the next level.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – Fernandes has had his three-match ban rescinded by the FA, but the playmaker was available for this Europa League clash anyway. United need more from their creative talisman.
LW: Marcus Rashford – Sunday’s disaster made plenty forget that Rashford looks like he’s rekindling some of his most potent form. He’s got a key role to play if Ten Hag is going to keep his job.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – Joshua Zirkzee has proven to be ineffective in recent outings and Ten Hag has to turn to Hojlund on Thursday. The Danish striker has merely made cameo appearances since returning from a hamstring injury.
