Two New Manchester United players could debut vs Omonia Nicosia as Ten Hag made five key changes

Changes?

United made things as difficult for themselves as possible in Nicosia, where they should have scored a cricket total but ran into a sticky wicket.

Erik ten Hag should not be discouraged from making changes with the next three Premier League games in mind. United is correct to take the Europa League seriously, but the ultimate measure of their progress comes during weekends and, in the case of next week, midweek.

After tonight, United’s next three games are against Newcastle, Tottenham, and Chelsea. That’s three current top-six teams in three weeks, and those games must take precedence.

Is Varane in jeopardy?

Raphael Varane only appeared for two minutes at Everton, but his deft header prevented Jordan Pickford from nodding in a 94th-minute equalizer.

Varane is Manchester United’s most important player, and he practiced separately from the rest of the group at Carrington yesterday. United does not need to risk him against Omonia, and Varane is more needed against Callum Wilson, Harry Kane, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

McTominay’s return?

Last week, Casemiro demonstrated the value of consistent starts, which he had been denied during his first six weeks with United.

Casemiro, like Varane, will be more important against Newcastle on Sunday, as Scott McTominay’s suspension allows Ten Hag to rest the Brazilian.

Ten Hag, on the other hand, has chosen such intimidating teams in the Europa League that Christian Eriksen has started all 11 of United’s games.

Are you in from the cold?

Fred should be a reliable starter if played in his favored position, but he had the misfortune of being deployed deeper than McTominay against Brighton and, most oddly, as the No.10 against Real Sociedad in two of his games.

Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho haven’t played in over a month, and Facundo Pellistri is failed to make his United debut two years after joining the club.

Pellistri’s fellow Uruguayan, Guillermo Varela, had to wait more than two years to make his United debut.

Another newcomer?

Rhys Bennett, the FA Youth Cup-winning captain, was pulled into training on Wednesday to compensate for the absence of four senior center halves. Bennett will turn 19 later this month, and a debut in the matchday squad would cap off a fantastic year that began with his goal in the Youth Cup final victory over Nottingham Forest.

Bennett would become the 245th academy graduate to make his United debut if he plays against Omonia.