Manchester United received a morale boost before the international break as Scott McTominay’s two late goals against Brentford secured a 2-1 win and they have an ideal chance to build on that result in Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United.
The Blades have accrued just one point from their first eight games and have become early favourites for relegation. Anything other than three points at Bramall Lane will be viewed as a major failure for Erik ten Hag and his team.
Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat are two potential absentees thanks to knocks picked up during the international break, while a host of other players – primarily defenders – remain available for selection.
Here is the starting XI Ten Hag may choose against Sheffield United on Saturday night to secure three points for Man Utd.
GK: Andre Onana – After a useful couple of weeks away from the limelight, Onana needs a seamless performance in goal for United so he can get the fans back onside.
RB: Diogo Dalot – Aaron Wan-Bissaka is still out and there are a couple of potential solutions on the left, so Dalot should be able to keep his place on the right.
CB: Victor Lindelof – The Swede is one of Ten Hag’s possible left-backs if he can’t put a specialist there, but he should get to start at centre-back as a preferred option to Harry Maguire.
CB: Raphael Varane – The international break was well-timed for Man Utd and Varane especially as the Frenchman may now be fit enough to start despite a recent injury.
LB: Sergio Reguilon – One of three injured left-backs, Reguilon might be able to start this game. However, should the Spaniard not make it, Lindelof may play there with Maguire coming into the middle.
CM: Scott McTominay – He has to start, right? With Casemiro and Amrabat possibly unable to start, the hero from the Brentford win should start and will try to build on that great moment.
CM: Christian Eriksen – This is perhaps the sort of game that suits Eriksen as Man Utd may need to unpick a packed defensive unit at Bramall Lane, with little sprinting back to do.
RW: Antony – Ten Hag has been trying to ease the Brazilian back into the team and this may be an ideal game to give him a start, allowing Bruno Fernandes to move back inside.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – This selection comes at the expense of Mason Mount but Fernandes is a much better option in the middle and that is where Ten Hag will likely use him.
LW: Marcus Rashford – Having scored a great goal for England against Italy, it’s time for Rashford to rediscover some form at Man Utd as patience is starting to wear thin.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – The Dane scored a great goal against San Marino in what proved to be a narrow win and a tough physical contest and Hojlund looks like the bright spark in this Man Utd team right now. He will need to hone his poacher’s instinct for this one.
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