All is well in the world of Manchester United again…but for how long?
The world was caving in on Erik ten Hag after his side succumbed to an emphatic 3-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break and, while victories over Southampton and Barnsley will not come to define the Red Devils’ campaign, the triumphs supplied plenty of positives for Ten Hag and company.
The current good feeling will quickly cease should United drop points at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Crystal Palace completed the double over Ten Hag’s side last season but haven’t quite hit their stride at the start of Oliver Glasner’s first full campaign at the helm.
Here’s the team Ten Hag could pick for United’s trip to Palace.
GK: Andre Onana – Man Utd’s starting goalkeeper is one of multiple players who will return to the team on Saturday after earning a rest in midweek.
RB: Noussair Mazraoui – The summer arrival has immediately settled in Manchester, with the Moroccan’s versatility facilitating a more fluid United build-up at the start of the new season.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – De Ligt joined the club from Bayern Munich along with Mazraoui and produced a standout performance in United’s victory over Southampton last weekend. The Dutch defender limped off with cramp at St Mary’s but was fit enough to earn minutes off the bench on Tuesday.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – Oh, how United need Martinez fit. Talk about a game-changer.
LB: Diogo Dalot – The Portuguese defender endured a tough outing on the south coast last weekend, but United’s injuries at full-back meant he was forced to start in the week. Dalot should continue in the team at Selhurst Park, where he could play on either flank.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – After making his first start for the club on Tuesday night, Ugarte is ready to make his maiden Premier League start this weekend. The former PSG midfielder made his bow in the competition off the bench at Southampton.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo – Christian Eriksen was good last weekend and prolific on Tuesday, but Ugarte is likely to be partnered by United starlet Mainoo, who didn’t play at all against Barnsley. Casemiro looked more comfortable against League One opposition.
RW: Alejandro Garnacho – The Argentine winger will surely come into the XI in south London after starring in Man Utd’s cup win. Garnacho performed well off the right last season and he’ll likely be stationed down that flank on Saturday.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – United’s beating heart earned some respite by missing the Carabao Cup festivities, but he’ll come straight back into Ten Hag’s XI this weekend.
LM: Marcus Rashford – It’s great to have Rashford back, isn’t it? While a brace against Barnsley hardly screams ‘major resurgence’, the winger is certainly heading in the right direction. Rashford also scored in United’s 3-0 victory over Southampton last weekend.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee – Rasmus Hojlund is back in training and surely closing in on his first minutes of the season, but Zirkzee doesn’t deserve to come out of the side. Hojlund should enjoy a cameo off the bench, though.
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