Harry has to prove himself to Ten Hag!
UNITED may not have much to play for on Sunday, but several players certainly do.
There is just one more match to go and this dull, dismal and dreary campaign can finally be brought to a close. The Reds were knocked out of every competition with hardly a whimper, there wasn’t even a sniff of the Premier League challenge that had been expected prior to the campaign.
And even the bare minimum of qualifying for the Champions League hasn’t been achieved. With one game left, United might even fail to finish in a Europa League spot.
Should they lose or draw at Crystal Palace and West Ham defeat Brighton, the Hammers will leapfrog the Reds into sixth place. You’d like to think the ignominy of playing in the UEFA Conference League next season would spark the players into action, but going off their pitiful displays whenever anything important has been on the line through the last year you wouldn’t bet on it.
If securing a Europa League place or just simple pride after the 4-0 hammering dealt to them by Brighton last week isn’t enough inspiration, maybe their futures at the club being on the line will do the trick?
Erik ten Hag hasn’t taken over managerial duties yet but will be at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
A long summer of planning is already under way, with transfer targets needing to be identified, formations discussed, tactics decided and much more.
Ten Hag may already have a clear idea of which players at the club will play integral roles in his side, but watching them live will certainly help firm up his decisions.
Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane are bound to be regulars next season, but there are other members of the likely starting XI who needs to impress their new boss.
Perhaps the player with the most on the line is Harry Maguire. The centreback has endured an incredibly difficult season which has seen him come in for staunch criticism, with even his role as captain being questioned.
The new manager may look to give the armband to someone else in order to make a fresh start. That is unless Maguire can impress him.
The England defender returned from injury off the bench against Brighton and could start at Palace. His ability on the ball and in distribution would suit Ten Hag’s style of football, but his defensive flaws at present far outweigh that. Diogo Dalot may also be playing for his place. While the Portuguese has forced Aaron Wan-Bissaka out of the team this season, that is no great achievement considering his colleague’s dreadful form. Dalot does bring more energy to the right side but he is also a weak spot in defence and his delivery into the box is largely inconsistent. The full-backs will likely play a very important role in Ten Hag’s side and United have already been heavily linked with Ajax’s Jurrien Timber.
You’d think the ignominy of playing in the Conference League would spark the players into action
United’s midfield issues are well publicised and it is a position that has been earmarked as a priority this summer.
With Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba leaving, at least two will likely have to be signed. Frenkie de Jong and Kalvin Phillips are the main targets at present, and if they are signed that would leave Scott McTominay in a perilous position.
Though the 25-year-old has won the hearts of many fans due to his passionate displays on the pitch, he has rarely shown the technical skills required for a Ten Hag midfield – which focuses on retaining control through possession and relies on accurate passing.
His combative nature would still make him a useful asset in certain battles, but the Scot may have to show a more cultured side of his game if he is to remain a regular starter under Ten Hag.
Finally, Marcus Rashford. It’s been a terrible year for the striker who would need to score twice on Sunday in order to even draw level with his lowest goals tally since his promotion to the first team – that being his first half-season in which he scored seven times as a teenager.
The forward missed the game against Brighton but has recovered from bronchitis and could be involved on Sunday.
Though he likely won’t start, if he comes off the bench a promising display must be seen from him.
Whenever Rashford has had minutes on the pitch in recent months he has looked devoid of all confidence, with his skills deserting him.
Ten Hag’s arrival will allow for a new beginning, but a spark of positivity is needed from him or else the new manager could look to bring in more attacking recruits.