As the Premier League season unfolds, Manchester United finds itself confronted with an unexpected injury predicament merely two games in. With Mason Mount sustaining a hamstring injury against Tottenham and Luke Shaw facing a layoff due to a muscular ailment, the team’s left-back position has suddenly become a concern.
Complicating matters, Tyrell Malacia’s prolonged absence due to injury leaves Alvaro Fernandez, who is yet to make his first-team appearance, as the only viable left-back option available for selection against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Fernandez was poised to debut at the conclusion of the 2021/22 season, but Alex Telles took the field instead. Despite this missed opportunity, Fernandez’s patience might be rewarded during the upcoming match.
The 2020 summer acquisition from Real Madrid displayed resilience in adapting to a new country during the pandemic, and his subsequent successful loan spell at Preston in the Championship underlines his potential.
While Fernandez’s time at Deepdale Stadium was undeniably fruitful, his chances during pre-season were limited, suggesting he may have to settle for a spot on the bench against Forest. The versatility of Diogo Dalot, capable of performing in both full-back positions, makes him a likely candidate for the starting left-back role.
With Mason Mount available, it seems prudent to slot in Christian Eriksen to restore midfield balance. Eriksen’s impressive performance during the first half of the previous season in a deeper role bodes well for this shift.
The midfield displayed vulnerabilities against Wolves and Tottenham, revealing a need for Mount to establish a rapport with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, both of whom have yet to hit peak form.
An encouraging aspect is Eriksen’s established synergy with these two players, having formed a formidable trio for a significant portion of the previous season. Although concerns about Eriksen’s physical endurance arose in the latter part of the campaign, his familiarity with his teammates positions him as a potential game-changer against Forest.
Marcus Rashford’s role has been confined to that of a striker due to Rasmus Hojlund’s minor back injury. However, Rashford’s prowess is at its zenith when deployed on the left flank. Relocating him to this position against Forest appears to be a strategic imperative.
Rashford’s performance as a centre-forward has been underwhelming, with statistics illustrating his limited touches during matches against Wolves and Tottenham. His natural inclination is to dribble, accelerate past full-backs, and exploit his speed, a style that is compromised when playing with his back to the goal.
For the upcoming match, the ideal lineup involves Anthony Martial as the striker, enabling Rashford to showcase his skills on the left flank.
Despite Manchester United’s record-breaking signing of Antony from Ajax last summer, his on-field contributions have not yet reached the expected level of excellence. With just one league goal since October, he’s still far from realizing his world-class potential.
Antony’s performances against Wolves and Tottenham were lackluster, leading to questions about his starting position. While Facundo Pellistri has been suggested as an alternative, his sporadic appearances off the bench indicate limited trust from the management.
Although Antony’s current form doesn’t entirely warrant his place in the starting lineup, Erik ten Hag’s consistent backing of him, even in questionable situations, remains steadfast.
After the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, the aura of playing at Old Trafford seemed to fade, but recent seasons have witnessed its resurgence as a fortress. In the previous campaign, Manchester United clinched seven consecutive home Premier League victories.
A remarkable feat was also achieved with an unbeaten streak of 30 games at Old Trafford across all competitions, the longest since a 40-game run between September 2016 and December 2017. This formidable home record may find continuity against Nottingham Forest, further cementing the team’s dominance on its home turf.