One of the big criticisms that came the way of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last season was his apparent reluctance to rotate his squad.
Even against fourth-tier Newport County in the FA Cup third round, for instance, the Dutchman handed starts to Lisandro Martinez, Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes.
Did an over-reliance on a few key players play a role in the injury issues Manchester United suffered during a campaign of relentless fitness concerns?
That was one concern. Others, meanwhile, felt that Erik ten Hag should have been quicker to hand opportunities to Facundo Pellistri, Willy Kambwala and, particularly, Amad Diallo.
So, while Ten Hag is not taking a victory over League One Barnsley for granted in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, the comments he made in his pre-match press conference will be music to the ears of those hoping to see a few fringe players and the odd Carrington talent make their mark in a midweek clash at Old Trafford.
“Definitely, we have to rotate because we have to cover so many games,” Ten Hag tells Manchester United’s official website. “And so it’s not only about a starting XI.”
Manchester United face Barnsley in EFL Cup
The may be a chance for Antony – issued a stern warning by Ten Hag this week – while Altay Bayindir, Harry Amass, Ethan Wheatley and the highly-rated Toby Collyer will also hope to be involved.
Ten Hag has indicated that veterans Jonny Evans and Casemiro could feature as well, albeit maybe not in their natural role.
“Yeah, if it’s necessary and you need someone to play in the position where you are not always playing,” Ten Hag says when asked about the prospect of playing a few players in rather unfamiliar spots.
“But Jonny Evans played before as a left full-back. Casemiro played before as a centre-half, so they know those positions.”
With Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui likely to be rested, and with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still injured, Ten Hag may have a choice between a 36-year-old Evans and teenager Amass – nearly two decades his junior – on the left-hand side.
Casemiro may also be fielded at centre-half, probably alongside Evans or Harry Maguire, after coming off the bench to play in the backline in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton.
Much-maligned after that disastrous 45 minutes against Liverpool, the experienced Brazilian offered a timely reminder of his qualities with a fabulous through ball to spark Alejandro Garnacho’s third and final strike away from home at St Mary’s.
Casemiro and Jonny Evans could start
“We have to construct a team and we have not been able to work on relationships and on patterns and routines so far, because players came late in. We did that pre-season with many players, so also we have to think about this,” Ten Hag adds, suggesting that there could still be a few familiar faces involved against Barnsley.
“For (Barnsley), the game of the year. They will be really focused and really energised to go into this game, and it’s up to us to make it our game. And yeah, we are really enjoying and looking forward to inviting them.
“And (we want) to go into this game with full energy and motivation.”
Man United have only faced Barnsley once since the turn of the century.
Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen scored in a 2-0 win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at Oakwell in the EFL Cup back in 2009.
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