Erik ten Hag needs to trigger a dramatic improvement at Manchester United through the autumn and winter of 2023/24.
The beginning of the new season has not gone to plan at Old Trafford, with United losing four of their opening eight Premier League games and defeated in two from two in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Ten Hag has come under a certain degree of pressure, although it's fair to say injuries have taken their toll on his squad as well as a number of off-field sagas, including those involving Mason Greenwood, Antony and Jadon Sancho.
The number of first-team absences prompted Ten Hag to claim that he has never managed to field what he considers his best side. Speaking ahead of the 4-3 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, the Dutchman said: "One thing is true: from the start of last season, I don't think I ever started with, in my opinion, the best starting XI. There was always injuries.
"We always got results apart from the period we are in now. I have experienced it in the past and managed it. You have to deal with it. I like these situations because you have to handle it and know what to do, and that is focusing on the process."
So, what exactly is Ten Hag's best possible lineup? The Sporting News delves into United's squad, his options for his best team, and the players currently ruled out.
MORE: Who is buying Manchester United? Latest on Sir Jim Ratcliffe bid
What is Erik ten Hag's best 11 at Man United?
United will be missing several first-team players for their next match at Sheffield United on October 21. Factoring in those absences, Ten Hag's strongest lineup for the game at Bramall Lane might look something like this:
- Man United best available XI vs Sheffield United (4-1-4-1): Onana — Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Reguilon — Amrabat — Antony, Mount, Fernandes, Rashford — Hojlund
With everyone fully fit and available for selection, the team that Ten Hag would put out may look very different. This, we think, would constitute the United manager's "best XI":
- Man United strongest XI with all fit: (4-2-3-1): Onana — Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw — Casemiro, Amrabat — Antony, Fernandes, Rashford — Hojlund
The big questions in terms of form are over new goalkeeper Andre Onana, captain Bruno Fernandes, midfield lynchpin Casemiro and last season's top scorer Marcus Rashford. In an ideal world, Ten Hag would be able to lean heavily on all four players as the likely spine of his team.
But none of the quartet have performed to the standard expected and with injuries to the likes of Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw — three other trusted first-teamers — Ten Hag has had selection headaches all season. There's little doubt the manager has been deeply considering his options over the international break and it will be fascinating to see what conclusions he lands on.
Manchester United injury news
Ten Hag has had to juggle his squad this season, with no fit left-back to speak of at times, but is finally getting some players back after the October international break. United fans will hope that sparks an uptick in form and results, after a desperate start to the season.
They should have Sergio Reguilon and Raphael Varane back for the clash against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, but United were dealt a blow by the news that Casemiro picked up a knock while playing for Brazil. The midfielder has been off-colour for the club this season, but he would still be a big loss if the ankle injury sustained in Brazil's 1-1 draw with Venezuela proves serious. United have insisted it is a "small issue".
Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez are all long-term absentees in defence, while young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is nearing a return to full fitness, having been out since preseason. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also been out in recent weeks, with some doubt shrouding his potential return date, and there are reports that Amad Diallo, also sidelined since preseason, has suffered a setback in his recovery.
Jadon Sancho is also unavailable after the public spat with Ten Hag following the player's social media outburst in reaction to being dropped. The United manager deemed him unselectable after the trip to Arsenal, with Sancho training alone and overlooked for matches since. Sancho could be brought back into the fold if he apologises to Ten Hag, but a January exit is looking far more likely.
Antony is back available after being given a leave of absence to answer claims of domestic abuse made against him. The player denies the allegations.
Man United squad in full
There's little doubt that when all fit and firing, Manchester United's squad is a strong one. In the table below, we break down that squad by position.
Table correct as of October, 2023. *Denotes player on loan
| Squad No. | Player name | Position | Country |
| 24. | Andre Onana | GK | Cameroon |
| 1. | Altay Bayindir | GK | Turkiye |
| 22. | Tom Heaton | GK | England |
| 2. | Victor Lindelof | DEF | Sweden |
| 5. | Harry Maguire | DEF | England |
| 6. | Lisandro Martinez | DEF | Argentina |
| 12. | Tyrell Malacia | DEF | Netherlands |
| 15. | Sergio Reguilon* | DEF | Spain |
| 19. | Raphael Varane | DEF | France |
| 20. | Diogo Dalot | DEF | Portugal |
| 23. | Luke Shaw | DEF | England |
| 29. | Aaron Wan-Bisssaka | DEF | England |
| 35. | Jonny Evans | DEF | Northern Ireland |
| 4. | Sofyan Amrabat* | MID | Morocco |
| 7. | Mason Mount | MID | England |
| 8. | Bruno Fernandes | MID | Portugal |
| 14. | Christian Eriksen | MID | Denmark |
| 16. | Amad Diallo | MID | Ivory Coast |
| 18. | Casemiro | MID | Brazil |
| 21. | Antony | MID | Brazil |
| 28. | Facundo Pellistri | MID | Uruguay |
| 34. | Donny van de Beek | MID | Netherlands |
| 37. | Kobbie Mainoo | MID | England |
| 39. | Scott McTominay | MID | Scotland |
| 46. | Hannibal Mejbri | MID | Tunisia |
| 9. | Anthony Martial | FWD | France |
| 10. | Marcus Rashford | FWD | England |
| 11. | Rasmus Hojlund | FWD | Denmark |
| 17. | Alejandro Garnacho | FWD | Argentina |
| 25. | Jadon Sancho | FWD | England |
MORE: What is the latest with Jadon Sancho at Manchester United?
Man United fixtures, schedule
These are United's upcoming fixtures ahead of the November international break, in which they'll be expected to show a marked improvement on their patchy early-season form. The double-header against FC Copenhagen represents an opportunity for United to kickstart their Champions League campaign, picking up their first points and giving themselves a chance of reaching the knockout stages.
- Sat, Oct 21: Sheffield United (A) — Premier League
- Tues, Oct 24: Copenhagen (H) — Champions League
- Sun, Oct 29: Manchester City (H) — Premier League
- Weds, Nov 1: Newcastle (H) — Carabao Cup
- Sat, Nov 4: Fulham (A) — Premier League
- Weds, Nov 8: Copenhagen (A) — Champions League
- Sat, Nov 11: Luton (H) — Premier League
