Erik ten Hag has a few difficult decisions to make ahead of Manchester United’s crucial Champions League clash against FC Copenhagen.
Manchester United have lost their first two games of the group and anything other than a win for Erik ten Hag’s side would surely mean another stint in the UEFA Europa League for the Red Devils.
The Dutchman needs to make one big decision and not just in the middle of the park for the Red Devils but in the forward line, too.
It’s a sad indictment of United’s attack that their defenders have more goals than the forwards this season in the league.
Diogo Dalot and Raphael Varane have scored one each whilst Marcus Rashford is the only forward who has netted in the league, things need to change.
Antony should be dropped
One forward who is surely on thin ice at the moment is Brazilian forward Antony. The former Ajax man looked promising for the Red Devils at Bramall Lane, it was his floated ball to the back post that led to Rashford crossing to Rasmus Hojlund, who missed the ball by an inch.
And while this was his first start since early September, and he may need time to get back into form, Antony has long-existing issues for Manchester United concerning his lack of production.
He hasn’t scored for United in 16 games, his last being the goal he scored against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Despite having promising moments against The Blades, it may well be time for Ten Hag to rotate on the right side and one man should be reinstated in the United team.
Until Antony can prove that he can contribute from the bench, there’s a case that he should not be a guaranteed starter.
Ten Hag’s options
Facundo Pellistri featured for the Red Devils off the back of Antony’s omission from the United team due to the allegations made against him.
The Uruguayan featured on the right, but looked rather out of sorts and barring a few moments of promise, looked a bit out of his depth at times.
The other, perhaps more exciting option could be to reinstate Mason Mount into the United team as it seemed harsh that the Englishman was dropped for the game in Yorkshire.
The most likely option, however, is that Mount will replace Scott McTominay, who completed just eight passes for the Red Devils against Sheffield United.
Mount, in the past, has featured on the right for Chelsea so that option could be looked into once again.
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