Against Brentford, Erik ten Hag may be set to hand two academy players their first-ever start after the latest news around Old Trafford.
The squad available to Erik ten Hag has been changed since the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, with several injury doubts for Manchester United heading into Saturday’s game against Brentford.
Noussair Mazraoui seemed ready to miss weeks, although he has resumed training at Carrington, although we find it unlikely he will start as it might be a risk so soon after minor surgery on a heart issue.
Additionally, Kobbie Mainoo will be out for weeks with an injury, this just shows United need to take care of him as Mainoo is walking a tightrope physically at such a young age.
Along with these two, Manuel Ugarte was taken off for Uruguay on Tuesday with injury concerns, while Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho both missed international duty through supposed injuries – although all three should be back this weekend.
These are a couple of potentially massive blows for Ten Hag, but it could open the door for two players to make their full debuts.
Erik ten Hag should give Harry Amass and Toby Collyer a start this Saturday
Due to these injury worries, Ten Hag could be forced into a couple of major decisions and among these will be deciding whether or not to hand two academy players a first competitive start for United.
Harry Amass is the first player who will be working extra hard in training this week to show Ten Hag he is ready to make his debut.
Mazraoui’s injury could serve as a golden opportunity for Amass. This is because even if Mazraoui is back training, rushing him back from a heart issue no matter how serious would be an unnecessary risk.
Amass could be joined by Toby Collyer – with Mainoo injured and the extended rest could do the teenager the world of good.
Collyer has already shown he has Ten Hag’s trust, and now, with Mainoo and Ugarte out – along with Christian Eriksen likely not 100% after a busy international break on his ageing legs.
If these injuries are to be believed, this could also hand Dan Gore a chance to step into the first team. If he manages to bounce back from injury and remain fit, Gore may be a bigger talent than Collyer.
How could Manchester United line-up vs Brentford amid injury concerns
If Amass is handed a debut, it would be United Academy graduate 252, while Collyer would be making his first start in this situation.
With these changes, the back-line could shape up with Diogo Dalot on the right, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez in the centre of defence with Amass on the left where he will have a big job on his hands to prove the coaches wrong about his physicality.
In midfield, the various situations around absentees could leave Casemiro as the only real senior option – and therefore we’d say he should be paired with Collyer.
Ahead of these two – much again depends on the fitness of Garnacho and Amad – without them, it could be Marcus Rashford and Antony who start here with Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund up top.
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