After a constructive pre-season, the true enterprise begins for Erik ten Hag on Sunday as Manchester United host Brighton at Outdated Trafford on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
The Dutchman has made a formidable begin to life on the Theatre of Desires and the gamers have responded properly to his strategies, with the squad displaying constructive early indicators that they will implement Ten Hag’s philosophy.
However the true take a look at comes on Sunday as Ten Hag pits his wits towards Graham Potter’s aspect at Outdated Trafford and the previous Ajax boss has various selections to make as he appears to be like to make a profitable begin to life on the membership.
Ten Hag has trialled various completely different techniques and alternatives in pre-season and given Brighton’s power in possession, he has various troublesome selections to make when deciding on his beginning XI and formation.
With that in thoughts, Metro.co.uk’s chosen three other ways the Dutchman could line his aspect up towards the Seagulls.
Choice 1: Security first
Ten Hag has, most of the time, performed a 4-2-3-1 system on United’s pre-season tour.
The system permits United to press excessive, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford capable of pin their full-backs again when out of possession whereas Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot can do the identical to the opposition’s wingers.
Whereas the pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay in midfield typically garnered groans from supporters final season, their duties are completely different beneath Ten Hag they usually’re not requested to sit down in the identical style that they did beneath Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In defence, Ten Hag has – maybe surprisingly – advised that Harry Maguire is his first alternative defender and he has determined to retain the England star as membership captain. Brighton’s power from set items will certainly influence Ten Hag’s considering and there’s few higher within the nation at defending the field than Maguire.
Lisandro Martinez has made simply two appearances for the membership since making his £47m transfer from Ajax however Ten Hag will likely be eager to get the Argentine extra minutes in order that he can rise up to hurry. Maguire would seem a great companion for Martinez, with the pair’s contrasting kinds complimenting each other.
Anthony Martial scored thrice in pre-season however it was his work-rate and business that can have impressed Ten Hag most. The Frenchman is just not recognized for his business however he’s proven an uncharacteristic willingness to adapt to Ten Hag’s strategies and deserves to start out. Nonetheless, there's hypothesis that the striker might miss the sport with a hamstring harm, which might be a dangerous blow to his hopes of hitting the bottom working this season.
Choice 2: Ronaldo’s return
Query marks over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future have considerably overshadowed Ten Hag’s preparation for the season, with each press convention dominated with questions concerning the 37-year-old.
The Dutchman has insisted since his unveiling that he desires to work with Ronaldo and the membership preserve the striker is just not on the market, regardless of him twice requesting to depart the membership within the final month.
Ronaldo was absent from United’s pre-season tour which implies he’s had simply 45 minutes of soccer because the season completed as he featured towards Rayo Vallecano final Sunday.
That leaves Ronaldo desperately wanting health however with a reported harm to Martial, Ten Hag might be pressured into the prospect of fielding a participant that’s had simply 45 minutes of pre-season motion.
Ought to Ten Hag make the choice to start out Ronaldo, he'll must be surrounded by legs and meaning a midfield three of Fernandes, Fred and McTominay, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho set to start out on the wings it doesn't matter what.
At left-back, Tyrell Malacia has shared the spot with Luke Shaw since his arrival from Feyenoord and it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Netherlands worldwide given his Premier League debut.
Choice 3: All-out assault
He’s not usually one for ‘dangers’ however Ten Hag might spring a shock along with his midfield choice on Sunday.
The signing of Christian Eriksen, whereas a formidable one, does elevate query marks over the system that United will play this season. The Dane is a conventional attacking playmaker and does his finest work enjoying simply behind the frontline. However that’s a place occupied by Bruno Fernandes and it seems unlikely that the Portuguese will lose his spot given his numbers since becoming a member of the membership from Sporting Lisbon.
One thrilling – however dangerous – possibility is to play each playmakers in an attack-minded 4-3-3 system. Ten Hag typically paired two quantity 8s collectively throughout his time at Ajax and Fernandes might drop deeper to play alongside Eriksen because the pair dovetail in midfield.
At centre-back, Raphael Varane might are available alongside Martinez to permit United to press increased up the sector than they will with Maguire. The Frenchman has struggled with harm since shifting to Outdated Trafford however he stays a category act and his pace is a priceless asset for a supervisor like Ten Hag, who desires his defence to be comfy at enjoying one-on-one.
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