Man United FC

Erik ten Hag has three unanswered questions to answer about his Manchester United line up

Manchester United has a key run of Premier League games coming up against Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea.

Erik ten Hag is struggling for a starting spot at Manchester United.

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United is facing a critical three-game stretch in which Ten Hag’s squad depth will be put to the ultimate test. To round out the week, United plays Newcastle on Sunday, Tottenham on Wednesday night, and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Ten Hag was all too aware of the Premier League’s grueling match calendar when he first joined the club. Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony, and Martin Dubravka all arrived at Old Trafford as part of United’s £225 million spending spree this summer.

Four of the six new recruits (Malacia, Eriksen, Martinez, and Antony) have already established themselves in Ten Hag’s starting XI, with Casemiro on his way. Dubravka has yet to appear for United, with Ten Hag opting for rather strong line-ups in their Europa League matches thus far – a league in which many expected David de Gea to be rested.

Ten Hag’s lack of substantial rotation now possibly provides him with three challenges as he works out his preferred starting lineup ahead of the congested season of fixtures.

Following two half-time substitutions for United, Ten Hag elected to replace Malacia with Shaw in the club’s 2-1 triumph over Everton.

The 23-year-old Feyenoord midfielder had impressed early in the season but has underperformed (comparatively) since the international break. Shaw has a history of excelling in the face of adversity — just ask Alex Telles — and offers United a dependable alternative at left-back when needed.

Although Ten Hag did not expect Shaw to be a regular starter, the question is when the Dutchman will decide to reintroduce Malacia to the first team. If Shaw retains his starting spot against Newcastle and United continues to perform well, the new acquisition may find it difficult to force his way back into the team.

Is McTominay’s career coming to an end?

Scott McTominay’s dominant performances earlier this season startled some fans. Many expected Casemiro to step immediately into Ten Hag’s starting XI upon his arrival at Old Trafford, but the Dutchman has taken his time adapting the 30-year-old to Premier League action.

Casemiro made his first league start against Everton on Sunday, earning Man of the Match honors in central midfield. McTominay replaced Eriksen in the 83rd minute, and he received a yellow card during his brief appearance, meaning he is now sidelined for the Newcastle game.

Ten Hag’s decision on who to turn to for the next game has now been made for him. McTominay, on the other hand, will be wondering if he can persuade his boss to reinstate him in the starting XI.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo to be the team’s captain?

Many heads would have dropped when Anthony Martial went off hurt at Goodison Park, as the Frenchman was plagued by another fitness issue. Ronaldo’s introduction, though, proved vital, with the 37-year-old scoring the game-winning goal — his 700th club goal.

Antony has scored three Premier League goals in as many Premier League games while cutting in from the right, and Marcus Rashford has found similar success when playing on the left. Ten Hag must now decide whether to give Ronaldo a regular starting spot at No.9.

There is no disputing Ronaldo’s skill, and while the Portuguese international has battled for playing time under Ten Hag, the Dutchman may now be persuaded to turn to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for a string of starts, as worries over Martial’s fitness continue to be raised.

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