4-2-3-1: ‘I must win but…’ – Ten Hag will finally play his best starting XI for crunch game vs Fulham

As Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag prepares to select his lineup for the upcoming Premier League clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage, he faces a straightforward decision.

The question at hand is whether he should stick with the game plan that has let the team down throughout the season or opt for a change in tactics.

Following two consecutive 3-0 defeats, it appears almost certain that he will be seeking fresh strategies.

Considering the underperformance of United’s wingers in multiple matches, one possible adjustment could involve shifting Marcus Rashford to the right flank and experimenting with alternative options on the left.

Although Alejandro Garnacho’s performance on the left against Newcastle left room for improvement, he should be given a series of games to acclimate, just as others have been.

Another pressing matter is the positioning of Bruno Fernandes, who has struggled when played in various roles. Returning him to the number 10 position is crucial to help him regain his form.

Rasmus Hojlund should naturally replace Anthony Martial in the forward role, as Martial was largely ineffective during the last match.

In the midfield, Ten Hag mentioned that Casemiro would be absent for the game. As a result, we can anticipate the presence of two out of Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, and Christian Eriksen.

Considering Mount’s recent struggle to find his rhythm for United, a win is of utmost importance, and he is unlikely to be in the starting lineup.

The recent trend of selecting McTominay has yielded some positive outcomes, including three goals and a Player of the Month nomination.

However, there have been instances where he seemed to fade into the background during games and conceded two penalties.

Furthermore, Ten Hag seems inclined to deploy him in a more advanced role, which should no longer necessitate moving Fernandes, for various reasons mentioned earlier.

For this reason, and given United’s urgent need for creativity from deeper positions, Eriksen is likely to partner with Amrabat in the midfield’s dual pivot.

While Harry Maguire has experienced a resurgence under Ten Hag, his performance against Newcastle left room for improvement.

If Raphael Varane has recovered from illness, he should be reinstated in the lineup, possibly alongside Lindelof, as Ten Hag seems to prefer not using Maguire on the left side of the central defense.

Considering Diogo Dalot’s subpar performance, Aaron Wan-Bissaka might reclaim his spot.

Sergio Reguilon is expected to start at left-back, with Andre Onana in goal.

Unfortunately, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Jadon Sancho, and Amad Diallo remain unavailable.

So, here’s our predicted starting XI for tomorrow’s game: