Erik ten Hag has a big decision to make next Sunday when Manchester United travel to Anfield to play Liverpool.
Bruno Fernandes was booked against Bournemouth and that was his fifth caution of the Premier League season and he will now miss the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
As a result of this, Erik ten Hag has a big decision to make when he travels to Merseyside next weekend and it will certainly be an important one.
There are a few options for the midfield department, which will be vital for a game of this magnitude against a side that will be right up for the battle.
Scott McTominay
Despite all of the criticism that Scott McTominay, the Scottish midfielder, has received this season, for his work outside of the goals he has scored, the 26-year-old could be a potent weapon.
Physicality could well be key for the Red Devils if they are to get anything out of this game and the United academy graduate would give you all that and more.
McTominay usually loves playing against Liverpool and his physicality, perhaps alongside Sofyan Amrabat and Kobbie Mainoo could be key.
Mason Mount
We don’t know if Mason Mount is fit yet, but if the £55 million man is ready to return, this is the perfect moment for him to jump straight back into the starting line-up.
The Englishman has had a frustrating time of things since his summer move to Old Trafford from Chelsea but he could be key, providing he is fit.
It was a winning goal on this ground under Thomas Tuchel for Chelsea that kickstarted their assault up the table, doing something similar for United could rescue his career at in the North West.
Hannibal Mejbri
Hannibal Mejbri has been incredibly unfortunate to not start more games for the Red Devils as his brilliant impact on the team back in September, has not been rewarded.
For whatever reason, the Tunisian midfielder has been in and out of the team since and has struggled for consistent minutes, getting a few cameo appearances here and there.
Bringing in the midfielder would certainly be a bold move by Ten Hag and the 20-year-old would certainly offer the passion and the energy that the engine room needs.
Kobbie Mainoo
One option for Ten Hag would be to pack the midfield out with defensive stability and push Scott McTominay further forward to try and get the best out of the Scotsman’s goalscoring instincts.
Kobbie Mainoo has been incredibly unfortunate to not have started these last two Premier League as the teenage midfielder certainly looked up to the task against Everton.
The 18-year-old has been United’s best midfielder this season and has only been available for a couple of weeks. He has the temperament and confidence to be able to handle the cauldron that is Anfield. He’s ready.
Donny van de Beek
The biggest wildcard that Ten Hag could play, although it seems incredibly unlikely, is bringing in former Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek. The Dutchman has yet to make a single competitive performance for the Red Devils this season.
Bringing in Van de Beek would be a massive risk but the Dutchman knows exactly what the Dutchman wants from his team and the midfielder looked good before his serious injury last season.
It would be some turnaround for the 26-year-old if he was to be brought back into the team, and with Mason Mount’s absence, it could be a reality, although, it certainly seems unlikely at this stage.
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