Erik ten Hag has five ways to solve Man United problem amid sack pressure

Manchester United return to Premier League action this weekend with Erik ten Hag still manager. There has been much speculation over the Dutchman’s future following the start of the season.

United sit in a lowly 14th place in the Premier League table, having won just two of their opening seven games of the season. The Reds drew 0-0 with Aston Villa before the international break, a result that extended their winless run in all competitions to five games.

United will hope to get back to winning was when they take on Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off). But they will have to do so with somewhat of an injury crisis on their hands.

The problem mainly comes at left-back where Noussair Mazraoui has been filling in so far this season. The full-back pulled out of international duty after suffering palpitations and, although it was not an emergency situation, he will be out for a few weeks.

Both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have been on the sidelines due to injury so far this campaign, although the former is closing in on a return to action. It therefore potentially leaves Ten Hag without any natural left-backs to start against the Bees.

So, what are the options available to the United boss? MEN Sport have taken a look at five possible avenues he can go down.

An ideal scenario

In an ideal world, Luke Shaw will be deemed fit enough to start the game. It was hoped at the start of the month that the left-back would recover from injury in time to make a return after the international break.

Ten Hag will provide an update on the player in his pre-match press conference later in the week. It however would be a risk to throw him straight into Premier League action having yet to make an appearance so far this season

Defensive line reshuffle

One of the most likely options could see Ten Hag turning to Diogo Dalot and playing him at left-back, a position that is no stranger to the Portugal international. That, however leaves United with another problem, with no other natural right-backs available.

Centre-back Victor Lindelof has played in both full-back positions, though. He could therefore fill in at left-back, leaving Dalot in his more natural right back position, or Dalot could be moved to left-back with Lindelof on the right, where he played for the second half of the game against Villa after replacing Mazraoui.

Turn to experience

It has been suggested that United could turn to Jonny Evans to play at left-back against Brentford at the weekend. The central defender was named man-of-the-match against Villa before the break, as he helped United to keep a clean sheet.

According to Transfermarkt, Evans has played at left-back 23 times during his career. Most of those appearances in the position came in the 2015/16 season when he played for West Brom.

The final time he is said to have played at left-back was also for the Baggies, as he came off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool back in 2018. It’s therefore been a while since he’s been tried in the role.

While Evans’ experience means that he should be able to find it easier to adapt than a younger player playing out of position, questions may be asked on if he would be able to get up and down the pitch like most modern-day full-backs.

Promoting youngsters

Fans love to see players given the chance in the first team, and an injury crisis in a certain position could potentially see a youngster make an unexpected step up. Harry Amass impressed during pre-season with United’s first team, but has since returned to the development squad.

He has played five times for the U21s in Premier League 2 this season, providing one assist. The 17-year-old is currently on international duty with England U19s, meaning he won’t have too long to prepare for a potential United first team debut if Ten Hag decides to take this option.

Left-field option

Summer signing Manuel Ugarte surprisingly played in the centre of a back three for Uruguay over the weekend, although the South American nation fell to a 1-0 defeat against Peru. The fact that Ugarte can play in the position could provide Ten Hag with another option.

If he does opt to play a back three with wing backs, Ugarte could potentially slot into the middle of the defensive trio. There could then be an option to play a natural more attacking wide player in the left wing-back position Alejandro Garnacho would be the natural choice, but his return early from international duty makes him a doubt for the match.

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