Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is concerned with his side's woeful form
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag must make two changes in Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray at Old Trafford. Ten Hag must drop an underperforming duo as United look to bounce back from a dismal 1-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Red Devils suffered their fifth loss of the season, and fourth in seven league games, after failing to respond to Joachim Andersen’s first-half strike in M16.
Boos – albeit partly aimed at the refereeing performance – rang around Old Trafford at full-time as the pressure on Ten Hag to deliver results intensified.
Anything but victory against Galatasaray would be the latest hammer blow to the Dutchman after United were beaten 4-3 in their Champions League Group A opener at Bayern Munich.
Ten Hag is bound to make at least one change to the woeful side that couldn’t deliver against Palace just days after a rotated outfit cruised past the Eagles 3-0 in the Carabao Cup third round.
But he needs to take at least two stars who have underwhelmed in recent weeks out of the picture and replace them with a more deserving duo.
Harry Maguire produced his best display in recent memory in United’s midweek win against Palace, dominating alongside Raphael Varane.
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But Ten Hag reminded him that he was fourth-choice among his ranks, opting to recall Victor Lindelof for the Premier League rematch.
The Sweden international was below par, though, contributing little to ball progression with sideways passes, winning none of three aerial duels, and losing Andersen at a set piece for the winning goal.
Ten Hag should have stuck with Maguire in a move that could’ve boosted the former United captain’s confidence, but he instead had to settle for a seven-minute cameo.
Maguire should be recalled for the Galatasaray game, reclaiming his spot alongside Varane, with Lindelof dropping to the bench.
Ten Hag also has a big decision to make in attack. United fans have long clamoured for Facundo Pellistri to get his chance, but since that chance has arrived, he’s struggled to make an impact.
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Pellistri has started three of United’s last four games, including the defeat at Bayern, but has failed to contribute a single goal or assist.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho was excellent against Palace in the Carabao Cup and sparked life into the Red Devils’ performance off the bench on Saturday.
Ten Hag seems insistent that Garnacho can or wants to operate only on the left, Marcus Rashford’s preferred position. But he would surely be more of a threat on the right than Pellistri.
He could alternatively recall Hannibal Mejbri in his midfield, pushing Bruno Fernandes or Mason Mount to the right.
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