Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will be expecting a reaction to his dismal 7-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield when his team host Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday.
The second half collapse at Anfield led the Red Devils to equalize the club’s worst ever defeat.
Ten Hag has insisted they are all in the same boat as United look to bounce back in the Europa League.
The selection of the Dutch team for the first leg of the round of 16 will be fascinating. He could choose to drop several players from 7-0 and rotate due to the club’s challenging match schedule.
sports mail has taken a look at how the Red Devils might line up for their Europa League match.
Erik ten Hag could make several changes when Man United take on Real Betis in the Europa League
Several United stars have faced criticism following the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Goalie
David de Gea will surely be a starter between the sticks, as the Spaniard has been Ten Hag’s first-choice goalkeeper all season.
The 32-year-old has started every Red Devils game in the Europa League this season.
De Gea has only missed four games with Ten Hag, each of them in the Carabao Cup.
His place in the starting eleven is assured.
Defending
After a battered 7-0, the logical place to start making changes would be on defense.
Ten Hag has recently faced a headache at right-back as both Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have been in fine form.
Dalot has tended to earn the nod having started in the Carabao Cup final, before lining up against West Ham and Liverpool last week.
Ten Hag admitted before the trip to Anfield that Wan-Bissaka was pushing for selection, after impressing off the bench against Newcastle.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka should come into the wing to replace Diogo Dalot at right-back
Dalot’s poor performance could turn the Real Betis tie into the perfect moment to remove the Portuguese full-back from the team and give Wan-Bissaka the title.
Rafael Varane has reportedly brushed off a blow to be part of the United squad, but Ten Hag could decide not to risk the Frenchman given his long-term importance.
Victor Lindelof could enter the starting eleven.
Wholesale changes to the back four are probably not advisable, so Lisandro Martínez should keep his place despite his struggles against Liverpool.
Tyrell Malacia could be in for a start to pressure Luke Shaw for his place, after the English left-back’s torrid Sunday afternoon.
Tyrell Malacia could start at left-back as Ten Hag marks changes to United’s defense
Luke Shaw could be sacked from the starting eleven after being repeatedly exposed at Anfield
Midfield
Casemiro has been instrumental in United’s improvement this season, with the loss to Liverpool marking one of the few subpar performances for the Brazilian since joining from Real Madrid in the summer.
The 31-year-old reportedly took a hit at the weekend but Ten Hag has confirmed he is available for selection.
Casemiro must surely start against Manuel Pelligrini’s side with his leadership particularly vital as they look to bounce back.
The absence of Marcel Sabitzer due to injury should mean that the midfield duo of Casemiro and Fred remain in place.
Another option would be to restore Scott McTominay to the team.
Given the security that Fred and Casemiro had provided to the defense in recent weeks, restoring this stability as soon as possible should be the priority.
Casemiro would provide valuable leadership for United if he were fit to start on Thursday
Stroke
Ten Hag opted to line up with Antony, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes behind Marcus Rashford on Sunday.
The trio have faced heavy criticism following the loss.
Antony was criticized for the lack of protection he gave Dalot, with the Brazilian cutting through an increasingly alienated figure as the game progressed.
The winger completed the full 90 minutes but was ineffective. The £85.5m summer transfer was a far cry from his magnificent performance off the bench against Barcelona in the Europa League playoffs.
Antony’s performance against the Catalans saw him start in United’s next three games, but he should now make way for Jadon Sancho to return to the starting eleven.
Having been praised for his selfless work during United’s excellent form, Weghorst turned things around at the weekend with the Dutchman criticized as United’s “worst player of all time” and his attacking performance criticized by the club legend. Paul Scholes.
Weghorst has even been forced to defend himself for touching the Anfield sign before kick-off.
Wout Weghorst and Antony have been criticized by pundits for their performances at Anfield
Alejandro Garnacho should start after impressing from the bench in recent weeks
Despite being one of Ten Hag’s favorites since he arrived on loan in January, Weghorst could break through against Betis.
Alejandro Garnacho would offer something different in attack, as the 18-year-old starred from the bench against West Ham last week.
Bruno Fernandes has faced the brunt of the criticism for the Anfield collapse. The Portuguese star has been labeled petulant and faced calls to be stripped of the alternate captaincy.
Sportsmail also revealed that Fernandes’ on-pitch antics have irritated some of his team-mates, raising questions within the club about his suitability to become permanent captain next season if Harry Maguire leaves in the summer.
Ten Hag has jumped to Fernandes’ defense, calling him an ‘inspiration’ to his teammates.
“He’s having a brilliant season and he’s played a huge role in why we’re in the position we’re in,” Ten Hag said.
Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has to learn. I have to learn and he will learn too because he is smart.
“I am very happy to have Bruno Fernandes in the team and I am very happy that, if Harry is not on the field, he will be our captain.”
Bruno Fernandes has faced calls to be stripped of United’s substitute captaincy after the 7-0 defeat
Ten Hag has insisted that Fernandes continue to lead the team if Harry Maguire does not start.
Ten Hag’s strong support for Fernandes should mean he will start and captain the team on Thursday night.
Marcus Rashford also claimed that Fernandes has been a ‘good leader’ since he arrived at the club, with the star dismissing suggestions they dropped against Liverpool when they anticipated Thursday’s Europa League tie.
Rashford’s goalscoring form makes him a sure starter against Betis as they look to add to their 24 goals this season.
Possible Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, Casemiro; Sancho, Fernandez, Garnacho; Rashford.