TEN HAG HAS LIMITED OPTIONS IN MIDFIELD
SALE Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson is aware of the challenge that faces his side at Leinster this weekend.
The Sharks travel to Dublin today to face the four-time European champions in round two of the Investec Champions Cup and Sanderson knows just how good Leinster are.
“They have cohesion, they are super smart and there are no chinks in their armour.
“They are probably the best team at keeping the ball in attack. They probably have a point to prove on the European stage after the World Cup as they are essentially the Ireland team.
“They have got the mentality, competence and cohesion that you would want to take on the Champions Cup and they are probably the favourites for it at the moment.
“There are lots of players who can pull the trigger in that back-line.
“They have got an international forward pack with some big ball-carriers. They have a really competent set-piece, although not dominant. It will be different to Stade.”
Alex Sanderson has made 11 changes to the starting XV from the victory over Stade Français for the trip to Dublin.
Ernst van Rhyn, Sam Bedlow, Arron Reed and Rob du Preez return to the starting line-up. England scrum-half Raffi Quirke, who missed a number of weeks with a jaw injury, makes his first start since the opening weekend of the Premiership season as Gus Warr is rested.
Telusa Veainu makes his Sharks Champions Cup debut at full-back.
Jean-Luc du Preez returns from a hamstring injury to take his place on the bench.
However, Sale are without Tom O’Flaherty, Simon McIntyre and Daniel du Preez, who all picked up injuries in the win over Stade last weekend.
Ben Bamber, who starts today in the second-row, was impressive in his first start in the Champions Cup last weekend in the win over Stade.
ERIK ten Hag was heavily criticised in the aftermath of the defeat to Bournemouth and many wondered why he didn’t substitute Bruno Fernandes to prevent the midfielder from picking up a yellow card.
Bournemouth had a three-goal advantage and the result was all but guaranteed, so it made sense to replace Fernandes to protect him from a fifth yellow card of the season and a suspension.
Fernandes had already been cautioned and he was visibly frustrated with the team’s performance. It felt inevitable he’d be booked and he received a card for a cynical challenge in the 84th minute.
That fifth yellow card of the season means Fernandes will serve a one-match suspension against Liverpool.
Fernandes has been complicit in recent humiliations against Liverpool, but his absence due to suspension is a huge blow, especially when Christian Eriksen and Mason
Mount have injuries. Options to replace Fernandes in the attacking midfield role are limited and Ten Hag will have to pick between Donny van de Beek, Hannibal Mejbri and Scott McTominay.
In the circumstances, the most logical alternative to Fernandes is McTominay, who has gone from almost leaving the club in the summer to being one of the manager’s trusted lieutenants by winter. Remarkably, McTominay is the leading goalscorer at United with six goals and he’s also been in the goalscoring form of his life for Scotland, whom he helped qualify for the upcoming Euro 2024.
McTominay is not a glamorous player but he’s effective and he’s been the team’s biggest goal threat for weeks. He has earned his starting role and it seems likely he’ll start as the No.10 against Liverpool.
It’s fair to say he does not possess the flair and technical ability that would be associated with a natural, creative No.10, but he can score goals and drive into the box, which makes him a stop-gap option.