Erik ten Hag facing four Man Utd dilemmas with injured trio set to make return
It's been a while since Erik ten Hag had some good problems.
As Manchester United prepare to enter 2024, the Red Devils expect to feel a damn sight stronger in the new year thanks to a number of important players poised to return from injury layoffs. As the jubilation after Boxing Day's remarkable 3-2 win at home to Aston Villa died down, United fans were given the pleasing news on Wednesday that Mason Mount is stepping up his recovery and was pictured back in light training.
Ten Hag's £55million signing has followed in the footsteps of Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, who've also been seen at Carrington this month. By the time the trio are fully recovered, the likes of Anthony Martial, Harry Maguire and Amad will also be hoping to be back involved and strengthen Ten Hag's squad while also giving the Dutch boss a few issues when it comes to team selection.
Here are four dilemmas which Ten Hag is set to face in January.
Who partners Martinez?
Cast your mind back to this time last year and the answer to that question would be simple: Raphael Varane. Alongside Martinez, the French defender helped form a solid spine in front of goalkeeper David de Gea, who won the Premier League Golden Glove by racking up the most clean sheets in the top flight.
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Since March, however, their partnership has been heavily disrupted by injuries. Despite Varane - whose contract notably expires at the end of this season - being fit most of the time, he lost his place for 'tactical reasons' and Ten Hag opted to reinstate Harry Maguire into the starting line-up. The England international thrived, mostly alongside 35-year-old Jonny Evans, who played in Martinez's role as the left centre-back.
Get involved! How do you think Manchester United should line up? Give us your XI in the comments section.
Lisandro Martinez is set to make his long-awaited comeback (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)So, when Martinez returns after having metatarsal surgery and takes his place on the left-hand side, who'll be chosen on the right? Does Ten Hag go back to Varane, who's only played recently due to injury, amid reports that their relationship is now damaged? Or does the United manager have to reward Maguire for his imperious performances before picking up an injury himself?
Casemiro or Mainoo?
At completely different ends of the career spectrum, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will find themselves competing for the same role to be Ten Hag's first-choice holding midfielder come January. Mainoo, at the tender age of 18, has looked mature beyond his years sitting at the base of the Red Devils' midfield, although an error at West Ham reminded us that even with his talent and confidence, he's still got a lot to learn.
Kobbie Mainoo has been one of the silver linings in Manchester United's season (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)Casemiro is clearly the more established option, but his displays prior to suffering an injury in October unconvincing. At half-time during United's dramatic 2-1 win at home to Brentford, Ten Hag hooked the five-time Champions League winner because he wanted to play "more football." Perhaps Casemiro and Mainoo could play alongside one another, but that brings us to our third dilemma.
Where does Mount play?
When United made Mount their first signing of the summer and handed him the famous No.7 shirt, it felt as if he'd be a sure starter for Ten Hag. The former Chelsea midfielder may well have been, but two separate injury layoffs have seen him get off to a stuttering start at Old Trafford, not helped by his team-mates' troubles.
Mason Mount is still waiting to kickstart his Manchester United career (Michael Steele/Getty Images)In pre-season, Mount's role in midfield suggested that he'd be played to compliment Bruno Fernandes, yet they've seemed to get in each other's way since the Premier League campaign began. With that in mind, does Ten Hag pull Fernandes into a deeper role and let Mount roam forward, or does he even play the ex-Stamford Bridge star out wide, especially after the return of Christian Eriksen?
Should Martial be sold?
It seems like every January these days, United are in need of a proven striker. Rasmus Hojlund may've broken his duck on his 15th Premier League appearance against Aston Villa but the fact is the Red Devils don't score enough goals.
It could be the end of Anthony Martial at Manchester United (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Martial's deal is due to run out in June and amid reports that Inter Milan are considering a move, Ten Hag might be faced with a dilemma - sell Martial and risk having fewer forward options if they can't get a signing in, or keep him and struggle on with his patchy fitness record. The Frenchman is now 28 and even his biggest fans are struggling to argue that he deserves a new contract, but there's no doubt that he can offer United a sprinkle of quality in the latter stages of the season.
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