Erik ten Hag is so far delivering for Manchester United. His team are competitive in the Premier League top four race and already have one foot in the Carabao Cup final as they look to end the club’s six-year trophy drougt at the earliest opportunity.
Porgress in the FA Cup will maximise the chances of winning at least one trophy this season and United now prepare to face a Reading side that is mid-table in the Championship.
On this edition of TPL, Scott Saunders & Rob Blanchette look back on Man Utd’s win over Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup, discuss Erik Ten Hag’s Bruno Fernandes dilemma, Wout Weghorst, Marcus Rashford & more! If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
A place in the fifth round is up for grabs and here is the team Ten Hag could pick…
GK: David de Gea – Ten Hag hasn’t generally made a habit of switching up his goalkeepers for cup competitions so a change here isn’t to be expected.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Has done well since recovering from injury earlier in the season, especially as it seemed at one stage his United career could be over.
CB: Harry Maguire – Even when fit, chances for the club captain have been few and far between this season. He hasn’t started since United beat Charlton but could get the nod now.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – Walked away as player of the match following the midweek win over Nottingham Forest and is now back up to speed following the World Cup.
LB: Tyrell Malacia – Luke Shaw has played a lot of football in recent weeks and was missing on Wednesday through injury. There is no need to rush him back.
CM: Scott McTominay – Will be keen to make a statement here because he hasn’t been a starter since Casemiro settled in. Has at least had chances in the Carabao Cup.
CM: Fred – This season’s bit-part still seems to suit him well, lessening the burden of expectation but still offering plenty of game time. This should be his 27th appearance of the campaign.
RM: Alejandro Garnacho – The teenager made a significant impact off the bench in the last round when his late surging run resulted in a United penalty and the chance to kill off the Everton tie.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – Will have to relinquish the captain’s armband for the night if Maguire starts, but he won’t care as long as he plays.
LM: Marcus Rashford – Ten Hag has hailed the Englishman as ‘unstoppable’ and it makes little sense to take him out of the team, even for a more favourable game.
ST: Wout Weghorst – Will have the opportunity to add to his goal tally after getting off the mark against Nottingham Forest this week. The better he does, the more likley a permanent contract is.
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