After a pilot pre-season with all kinds of squads, up to now, Erik ten Hag's Man United is still... experimenting. They do not have the 11 strongest and most stable names to start. Injuries and a decline in form are two of many reasons, but just like that, the impact on Man United is too great.
Man United's ideal lineup includes Andre Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund. However, of the 11 names, only five have started against Fulham last Saturday. Varane and Mount are not starting; Martinez, Shaw and Casemiro are long-term absentees due to injury; Rashford is also on the bench for the same reason.
Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat were expected to be the ones who could start, but in reality, the opposite is true. Amrabat has not been able to find the best position. He is losing his position as a second choice in the defensive midfield role, after Casemiro. At this time, Casemiro was replaced by Scott McTominay. For Reguilon, it is unclear why this star was not put on the field despite being healthy?
Ten Hag is temporarily winding through the mud in his team's form with the central defender pair Harry Maguire - Johny Evans. When Casemiro was injured, McTominay was the one trusted. However, in the long run, these are not the stars of choice. Maguire was once put up for sale, Evans only signed for a short time while McTominay was uncertain about anything.
After being questioned about what role Mason Mount really plays, Ten Hag has yet to find an answer. In the context of Antony's decline in form, since the scandal of being accused of torturing his ex-girlfriend, will Mount be in Antony's position to become a better pass?
The starting lineup against Copenhagen in Denmark could see Ten Hag make an unprecedented change from the start of the season. It must be a team that plays with the determination to win 3 points, not a cluster like in the first leg at home. This is a very difficult period for Man United and every match is a big match, every opponent is dangerous and cannot be classified and targeted according to calculations.
For now, the "Red Devils" need to win on Copenhagen and Galatasaray before returning to Old Trafford to play the decisive match against Bayern. They need to beat both opponents away in the second leg of the Champions League group stage and hope Bayern will win tickets early. Only then will Ten Hag's team have the opportunity to squeeze through the narrow door while standing at the bottom of the table.
The match between Copenhagen and Man United will take place at 3:00 a.m. on November 9 (Vietnam time), live on FPT Television.
