Erik ten Hag has to experiment against Wigan in FA Cup, Amad should start but in a new position

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Erik ten Hag and Manchester United have a big decision to make as they prepare to enter the FA Cup in the third round stage.

Following another humbling defeat in the Premier League for Erik ten Hag, the club sit in seventh place and find themselves nine points off the top four, City could extend that to 12 points with their game hand.

If last season was the peak of Ten Hag’s time in Manchester, then this is certainly the nadir of the Dutchman’s time at Old Trafford.

The former Ajax boss looked on with a forlorn expression as the clock ticked down to full-time. He must know there is pressure on him but perhaps there’s a solution.

FA Cup experiment

United got all the way to the final of the FA Cup last season and gave Manchester City a good fight but couldn’t come back from a goal down following a rather scruffy Ilkay Gundogan volley which made it 2-1.

If they fail to win this time, at the hands of Wigan Athletic, then this would be a new low for the Red Devils.

Despite the previous magic of the competition, the early rounds of one of the sport’s oldest cups have lost that previous excitement.

Against Wigan, Ten Hag will be allowed to experiment and there is one thing the Dutchman could attempt and that’s a new front four.

Once Rasmus Hojlund returns from his injury, the front three should pick itself. The Danish striker would be flanked by Marcus Rashford on the left and Alejandro Garnacho on the right.

It’s the midfield where you wonder if the Dutchman could experiment. Amad Diallo was brought on during the defeat to Forest and replaced Antony in the process.

The Ivorian kept things simple and looked positive. Perhaps starting Amad in that number 10 role could be the key to getting this young and exciting quartet together.

Midfield balance

For his national team, United captain Bruno Fernandes has often been deployed as a number 8 for Portugal.

When played deeper, Fernandes has added much more control for his national team and this is exactly what United are currently missing at this moment in time.

A midfield of Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad would certainly be risky but what better time to try something strange in a competition that United are surely not expected to win, simply due to their current problems.