Erik ten Hag has brought Man United a very long way in the past 12 months, making expectations on the Red Devils very high before the new season.
Man United entered the opening match of the Premier League 2023/24 with high confidence. Both rookies Andre Onana and Mason Mount are expected to officially make their debut for the Red Devils, while Rasmus Hojlund is still in the process of recovering to be ready to shoulder the attack.
In the upcoming match against Wolves, it would not be surprising if coach Ten Hag plays with the same squad that beat RC Lens at Old Trafford last Saturday.
Marcus Rashford plays central-forward, supported by Alejandro Garnacho and Antony on the wings. Garnacho had an eye-catching performance against the French team to be able to keep his place against Jadon Sancho. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will start in the center of the defence, Luke Shaw will take over at left-back, while the trio of Casemiro – Bruno Fernandes – Mount will join the midfield.
As such, that squad includes five players signed by Ten Hag in the past 12 months: Onana, Martinez, Mount, Casemiro and Antony. The Dutchman had to revive a shipwreck upon arrival and changed the club’s fortunes through his new signings. It seems that not a single rookie has let Ten Hag down. They more or less confirmed the important role for the team.
When looking back at the starting XI that Ten Hag chose for the match against Brighton on the opening day of last season, perhaps, only 4 players are guaranteed a starting position this season, that is Martinez, Shaw, Fernandes and Rashford. The rest, David de Gea is gone, Harry Maguire, Fred are likely to get a new place, Scott McTominay could follow, Christian Eriksen is expected to lose his place by Mount, Sancho is still fighting to win. revive his career at Old Trafford and Dalot may have to substitute Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Martinez, Shaw, Fernandes and Rashford are the ‘foundation’ players for Ten Hag’s reign
Thus, up to 7 Red Devils players, either have left, or are fighting to get an official position. Through this, it can also be seen how coach Ten Hag has faced a great challenge before the huge amount of work placed on his shoulders, and he has overcome it in 12 months, to have the most satisfactory names to serve. for his tactics. Needless to say, the former Ajax manager must have worked tirelessly to get United on the right track, ahead of his second season as manager.
Ten Hag is still in the process of building his ideal squad and for that to happen, he needs to add new players, as well as liquidate players that are not planned. Man United’s transition requires even more patience, but at least they are on track and safe under Ten Hag’s direction.