The question is not so much ‘will Manchester United rotate’ and instead ‘how much will Manchester United rotate’?
Will Erik ten Hag completely change up his team? Will he throw in teenagers Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley, while handing Toby Collyer – a player the manager cannot speak highly enough of – a first-ever Red Devils start? Possibly not.
Speaking to the club’s official website during his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag indicated that Manchester United’s starting XI is likely to be a mix of fringe players, young talent and maybe a few more familiar faces.
His opposite number in the Barnsley dugout, meanwhile, is keen to point out that any XI Ten Hag opts to put out will represent a massive challenge for his South Yorkshire underdogs.
This, Darrell Clarke says, is a United side with quality throughout the ranks. Casemiro and Antony may have struggled for form of late but they are still Brazil internationals. Jonny Evans – hailed by Ten Hag on Monday – and Harry Maguire are dripping with experience.
Alejandro Garnacho may also be handed a place in Ten Hag’s line-up after another goalscoring cameo off the bench in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Southampton.
Manchester United host Barnsley in EFL Cup
“I don’t know how Man U will go,” Clarke tells the Barnsley Chronicle, his Tykes side already pulling off one surprise when they beat Sheffield United in round two.
“I am sure some of Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire, Garnacho, Casemiro and Antony will play. We know they will play world-class players whoever plays.”
“The Wigan and Sheffield United performances were very good. It gives us a platform to make a few quid for the club and fans an opportunity to enjoy a night out at a fantastic stadium.”
Barnsley arrive at Old Trafford having lost to Man United’s dazzling Under 21 side in the EFL Trophy last month.
Jack Fletcher, son of first-team coach Darren, scored the winner with a thundering volley from long-range while the aforementioned Amass, Wheatley and Collyer also started at Oakwell.
This, however, will be the first meeting between Barnsley and Man United’s senior side since Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen scored in a 2-0 cup win back in 2009.
Tuesday’s trip to English football’s most iconic arena will take on extra significance for former Port Vale, Bristol Rovers and Walsall boss Clarke, however, a boyhood Man United fan who has supported Red Devils even before the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson
An emotional night for Tykes boss Darrell Clarke
“I remember them losing the ’85 cup final against Everton. That’s my earliest memory of it,” Clarke recalls. “I had fallen in love with United by then. I remember it being 20, 21, 22 years until we won the league.
“I supported Mansfield as well because they were my local team and I went to the games. But in school it was all Liverpool fans, I wanted to be a little bit different so I supported Man United.
“You couldn’t call me a glory-hunter because it’s before they started winning everything!”
Man United may be a long way off those heady days – much to the disappointment of one Cristiano Ronaldo – but Ten Hag has picked up silverware in each of his two seasons at the helm while ending a six-year trophy drought in the process.
The third most successful side in EFL Cup history, the most recent of Man United’s six wins came back in 2023 when Casemiro and Marcus Rashford scored to beat Newcastle at Wembley.
- READ MORE: Who is Cristiano Ronaldo? Meet one of football’s most iconic names and undisputed Man Utd legend
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