When the Premier League returns to Old Trafford on Saturday, Man United might be without Antony and Jadon Sancho.
With all the off-field difficulties that have come to light recently, Erik ten Hag arrived back in Carrington on Monday and could be excused for forgetting that there is an actual football game to prepare for.
The vacation for Manchester United players traveling to represent their nations has been anything but a break, as a number of issues have sprung up. After being pulled out of the team to play Arsenal, Jadon Sancho began the week by complaining that he was being used as a scapegoat; on Sunday, it was revealed that Antony had taken a leave of absence due to ongoing allegations of abuse..
The Brazilian has decided to remain in Brazil and concentrate on responding to the charges, while Sancho’s future at the club is in doubt. As a result, the Brazilian won’t play on Saturday. He hasn’t given up, as evidenced by the fact that his message is still prominently displayed on his X profile.
Ten Hag might not have either of his senior right-wing options when he finally gets around to putting together a lineup to play Brighton. The Dutchman now has a difficult time making a decision, and MEN Sport has looked at his three alternatives below.
Facundo Pellistri, who frequently plays on the right while coming off the bench at United, is the most logical choice to occupy the position there. The exciting option for supporters would be the 21-year-old, who has never failed to dazzle as a replacement with an immediate impact.
Pellistri, who has been away on international duty with Uruguay, praised the new boss Marcelo Bielsa for helping him learn things quickly. Ten Hag fits this description of the former Leeds manager’s ideal winger; his choice to start the Reds’ youth is a confirmation of Ten Hag’s abilities in both areas.
However, Ten Hag might be persuaded to choose experience given that United is already being scrutinized for a sluggish start to the season. Pellistri has only made a handful of late-game appearances in Premier League games and has yet to make a single game-opening start. Being involved right away is a very other experience.
Marcus Rashford scored his first goal against Arsenal, demonstrating the tremendous threat he poses when he cuts in from the left. He has, however, performed admirably on the right in the past and can be relied upon to deliver in the final third from any position among the front three.
Similarly, Alejandro Garnacho excels on the left, but the young Argentinian would gladly take the starting job wherever. The opportunity to secure the position for a few weeks might be enough to bring the best out of the 19-year-old, who has had difficulty in the early going this season.
Ten Hag might rotate one of Rashford or Garnacho to the right-wing, potentially allowing both players the flexibility to switch when they see fit. But to watch them compelled into an unnatural role and become quiet as a result would probably frustrate you.
In crucial games last season, Ten Hag frequently moved Bruno Fernandes to the right, with players like Scott McTominay or Fred shoring up center midfield and United’s creativity coming through wide areas. It performed flawlessly during the 2-1 victory over Manchester City in January.
In this regard, Mason Mount appears to be the best option for moving out wide because it has a little more speed, the capacity to stay wide, and the technical skill to drift in. The 24-year-old’s defensive work rate would be an added benefit for Brighton in particular against the tenacious Pervis Estupinan.
Nobody can pretend that Mount has adapted quickly to United, and given that he missed the games against Nottingham Forest, it’s possible that he won’t even be ready in time. The Old Trafford supporters would also like to see Ten Hag take a more aggressive role against Brighton at home.
