Manchester United are in action tomorrow. It hardly feels real, after such a long break for the World Cup.
The Red Devils host Championship leaders Burnley in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford, and are expected to be without several key stars.
Due to the World Cup, the team could resemble close to the side which started against Cadiz and Real Betis, possibly with Facundo Pellistri and Christian Eriksen added to the squad, after their sides’ early eliminations at the group stages.
While both players would help out the attacking options, it is defensively where United most urgently need reinforcements.
Selection dilemma v Burnley at centre-back
Manchester United’s major problem for the clash with Burnley is at centre-back, with only one senior option guaranteed to be available.
This is Victor Lindelof, whose Sweden side did not qualify for the World Cup. He used the break to go on a charity mission to The Gambia, and started both of United’s friendly matches in Spain.
As for who partners Lindelof, it’s an open-ended question, which is likely to be solved by a teenager, or a World Cup star.
Teden Mengi had been on course to get the start, however, the 20-year-old suffered an injury against Real Betis which saw him stretchered off and he will be sidelined until 2023.
Axel Tuanzebe returned to individual training last week but is highly unlikely to be ready in time.
Phil Jones? Forget it. This is a competition he is actually eligible for, unlike the Premier League where he is not registered, but he has not been pictured at United since July.
Centre-back options against Burnley
This leaves a handful of options for Ten Hag, which could see him turn to youth. Rhys Bennett has a chance, Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup winning captain.
Bennett, 18, starred against Real Betis, playing 75 minutes, and was praised by veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton aafter the game.
While he started Monday’s under-21 Premier League Cup game against PSV at Old Trafford, he was substituted after 48 minutes, which suggests United could look to use him on Wednesday night.
Another options could be Dishon Bernard, 22, who played 45 minutes against Cadiz. He has experience on loan at Hull City and Salford City. However, like Bennett, he featured against PSV as an overage player.
Long-shot options are fellow youngsters Tyler Fredricson and Bjorn Hardley. The former could be involved in the under-18s game later today, which would rule him out, while Hardley also started against PSV.
More likely, is United rushing England World Cup star Harry Maguire back into action alongside Lindelof.
While Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez’s World Cups were only complete on Sunday night, Maguire has had 10 days since England’s elimination.
This is a chance for Maguire to steal a march on his competitors and benefit by seizing his opportunity back in United’s starting line-up.
Another emergency option is to utilise Scott McTominay as an emergency centre-back. He has played here for Scotland, but this may depend on Christian Eriksen being available in midfield.
This would allow United to field Eriksen, Donny van de Beek and Zidane Iqbal in midfield. Whether this is enough, is another matter.
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