Manchester United return to action in the Europa League against Real Betis this evening, with Erik ten Hag’s side looking to quickly move on from Sunday’s Anfield thrashing.
While there will undoubtedly be those eager to right the wrongs of that 7-0 thrashing, the former Ajax manager must use tonight’s game as an opportunity to shuffle his pack, with arguably no better time to test the depths of his squad than after such a horrific and frankly shambolic performance.
For all of the obvious criticism heaped on the Red Devils’ backline following the weekend collapse, changes to the forward line may be required, with Bruno Fernandes appearing out of sorts in a makeshift wide role, and summer signing Antony – who was branded “pathetic” by The Mirror’s Nathan Ridley – also a notable villain on the opposite flank.
The absence of that duo should allow teenage starlet Alejandro Garnacho to start against Manuel Pellegrini’s side, having previously shone against Spanish opposition after scoring away at Real Sociedad earlier in the season.
The 18-year-old, who was recently called up to Argentina’s senior squad, also scored a late winner in his last start in the FA Cup win over West Ham United, with tonight’s game providing another opportunity to show he can make a sustained impact across 90 minutes rather than just brief cameos.
The visit of the Andalusian outfit should also provide an opportunity for Jadon Sancho to be welcomed back into the side, with the fleet-footed Englishman – who was left on the bench for the trip to Merseyside – no doubt eager to kickstart his Old Trafford career.
Should Sancho make his debut against Betis?
There is no getting away from the 22-year-frustrating old’s last 18 months or so at the Theatre of Dreams, with the former Borussia Dortmund starlet failing to replicate the stunning impact he displayed in Germany since his £73m switch in 2021.
After establishing himself as a “menace” in the Bundesliga with 114 goal involvements in just 137 games, Sancho has since scored just ten goals and provided only four assists in 59 appearances for United.
The £350k-per-week man, on the other hand, has plenty of time to turn things around at the club, with signs of promise since his return to the fold last month after an extended absence.
The 5’11” dynamo has scored twice in his last three Premier League appearances, including a’superb’ impact off the bench in the 3-0 win over Leicester City, according to GOAL’s Tom Maston.
While that starring role against Leicester City came in a number ten role, Sancho subsequently made ‘no impact’ in that playmaking berth in the home win over Barcelona, according to Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst, and it may be time to see him restored to his former home on the flanks.
With the aforementioned Antony currently failing to fire – having been criticised by pundit Paul Parker for going “missing” in games – the Brazilian’s starting berth is firmly up for grabs, hence the need to give Sancho the opportunity to make that role his own.
