How Man Utd could line up for crunch Brighton and Bayern clashes with Antony out indefinitely and Sancho future in doubt
ERIK TEN HAG is set for a huge selection headache at Manchester United when club football returns after the international break.
United‘s wide options could be drastically cut down by the time they take to the field against Brighton on Saturday, before a Champions League away trip to Bayern Munich the following Wednesday.
Man Utd released a statement today confirming Antony would not return to the club “until further notice” amid abuse allegations against him from three women.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Jadon Sancho is set for showdown talks with Ten Hag to sort out his future following his public outburst after the 3-1 loss at Arsenal.
With United set to be left shorthanded on the wing, Ten Hag will need to rack his brain to come up with a new plan.
One route he may go down is with youngster Facundo Pellistri.
The 21-year-old was kept at Old Trafford amid loan transfer interest in the summer and could now be given an opportunity to nail down a spot in the starting xi.
In a March interview with MUTV, Ten Hag said Pellistri deserved minutes in the first team.
And with United now short on wing power, the Uruguayan has a chance to make a strong claim for the place long-term.
Fellow youngster Amad Diallo would be able to provide competition for the spot upon his comeback from injury as well, though the 21-year-old’s return is some way off after knee surgery.
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Alternatively, Alejandro Garnacho could be deployed there.
Garnacho, 19, was inches away from netting a winner against Arsenal after coming on off the bench before his late strike was deemed offside.
But given he played right-wing at times last season, albeit making him far less effective than he is on the left, he could be given another chance to prove he can play the spot.
A third option for Ten Hag may see him move club captain Bruno Fernandes or even Mason Mount out wide while switching up the team’s midfield dynamic.
Fernandes and Mount have both had spells playing on the wing during their respective careers, with Fernandes having a particularly influential time in the role when he played there last season.
The 29-year-old is at his creative best in the middle of the pitch but in an effort to gain more control of games and bolster the struggling midfield, Ten Hag could add the likes of Sofyan Amrabat to the mix.
Deadline day signing Amrabat has been tipped to be the player to solve a number of Unitd’s midfield issues, but suffered an injury scare after pulling out of Morocco’s national squad.
Mount could be back from injury after the international break, while Kobbie Mainoo is also tipped for a return later this month.
The starting xi could be tweaked in other areas too, including Spurs loanee Sergio Reguilon in place of Dalot at left-back.
Anthony Martial can also swap in up front in place of Rasmus Hojlund, whose minutes United want to manage carefully.
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