When the chips are down everyone must pull in the same direction to find the solution. In footballing terms that often comes by coaches picking their most experienced players and ones they can trust.
The only problem for Erik ten Hag is that Manchester United are watching that particular stockpile dwindle away on an almost game-by-game basis. Following his side's midweek humbling by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, the under-pressure Dutchman might only have one undroppable left at his disposal.
Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and 30-goal forward Marcus Rashford were cornerstones for United last season and Ten Hag could rely upon those six players to perform in every game, or at least give his team structure. But that 'S' word is absent right now as another dreaded one lingers.
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The Manchester Evening News understands some players are now starting to doubt Ten Hag and his position as their manager. However, based on performances this season, the Dutchman might too be second-guessing one or two of his one-time lieutenants and the players are by no means blameless in this ongoing slump.
In addition to the names mentioned above, David de Gea and Christian Eriksen were regular picks for United last season and more than proved their worth. Ten Hag opted to replace his long-serving goalkeeper this summer and Denmark playmaker Eriksen was only ever really going to be a stop-gap option for him.
Whatever your take on their individual situations, transition was always on the cards this summer and in those six other players there was enough continuity for United and Ten Hag to rely on for smooth progression. As we know, though, things have been anything but plain-sailing this season and the club must now look for answers.
Martinez - one man certainly up for a fight - and Shaw have been unfortunate injury absentees. United have been hit harder than most in that department this season and while that remains a factor in their ongoing slide, it simply cannot be leaned upon as the main or sole reason for collective failings.
Even before his Old Trafford arrival, Varane was never the most reliable fitness-wise and his regular setbacks were always going to be something United would have to factor in when striking-up their business with Real Madrid for his signature. He remains a classy operator and a shoo-in to start as and when available.
Casemiro, Fernandes and Rashford ought to be find themselves in a similar bracket. However, they too have to be looking over their shoulders when it comes to selection.
Rashford enjoyed the season of his career under Ten Hag with 30 goals in all competitions and the general feeling was the Dutchman had finally unlocked his true potential. Casemiro did his utmost to toughen United up and even understandable question marks over his £60million fee were seemingly rebuffed in the shorter-term.
Their drop-off this season has been stark and surprising. Injured or not, Casemiro looks a shadow of the player that pitched up at Old Trafford last summer and won so many trophies with Real over the preceding years.
Rashford needs one goal to get him firing once again. Perhaps that is wishful thinking?
By default that leaves Fernandes as the last undroppable for Ten Hag and even the Portuguese sensation has not exactly been at his best this season. However, with the armband in tow, United know what they will get from him when it comes to input at least if not necessarily output through trademark goals and assists.
At least Fernandes' name can be pencilled in for the Fulham match.
Siddharth—-
365
Drop him and play mount at that position