Teams win games, players create moments, but squads help you win trophies. That is why Erik ten Hag insisted on starting the season with a hefty roster.
When United square up against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, the number will be close to 28, the number of players he deployed throughout the victorious League Cup run. In a lengthy season, replacements must deliver the goods.
Ten Hag has had success influencing and changing games with the help of his subs throughout the majority of this season. Think of Marcus Rashford's game-winning assist versus City in January, provided by Alejandro Garnacho.You may also include Antony's goal against Barcelona and Anthony Martial's goal against Everton more recently. Plan B, however, hasn't been as effective lately for Ten Hag.
The Dutch coach committed mistakes against Newcastle in the 2-0 loss at St James' Park, and it might be argued that his substitutions against Sevilla and Tottenham really made the team less strong. The previous time a United substitute scored was Martial's goal against Everton four weeks prior.
Since then, the Reds have played six matches, losing to Sevilla once and drawing with Tottenham twice. This is partially because to the unfavorable injury and suspension luck United has encountered, and the squad's depth has been made evident.
Alejandro Garnacho's return will provide the competition on the flanks a significant boost. Rashford is still recovering from his injury, as evidenced by his goal against Spurs.
The availability of Anthony Martial is a huge plus, and Scott McTominay's upcoming comeback will at least provide the midfield another option when its players' legs are worn out. Ten Hag will be better able to employ the appropriate tools for each task as a result of all of this.
On Thursday, United will visit Brighton and the AMEX Stadium, where they were humiliated 4-0 last year. As the visiting supporters booed their team off, Cristiano Ronaldo was seen shaking his head in disbelief at the capitulation.
When United lost against Brighton on the first day of the season in Ten Hag's debut game, it was frustrating in a similar way. This time, the atmosphere is significantly better because United is almost certainly going to finish in the top four.
Given the Seagulls' outstanding form, there won't be any animosity if United loses, but there will be anxiety. Despite the hidings they have given teams like Chelsea and, more recently, Wolves, the Reds may initially find themselves on the back foot.
Brighton will, however, reveal United's flaws if they go behind if Ten Hag does not make the appropriate substitutes. One could argue that Brighton is the strongest opposition United will have in the Premier League playoffs.
They'll be predicted to defeat Chelsea, Fulham, Wolves, West Ham, and Bournemouth. Ten Hag will ideally wish and anticipate that his starting XI will perform admirably versus each of those sides.
But if it doesn't, he'll need to figure out his backup wildcard strategy to make sure United doesn't lose its top four security. If something goes wrong in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, the season's final game, in four weeks, he needs to have a solid backup plan ready.
According to reports from Sunday, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers were close to reaching a buyout agreement for Manchester United. Fred might be on the way out if the Ineos CEO assumes the position of authority at Old Trafford. That is, if previous remarks made by the CEO of INEOS are any indication.
In the 2018 summer transfer window, Manchester United paid £52 million to acquire the midfielder's services. He has, however, experienced a lot of ups and downs throughout his tenure at Old Trafford and, at the present, trails players like Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Marcel Sabitzer, and Bruno Fernandes in Erik ten Hag's hierarchy.
There have been rumors that United is trying to lock Fred into a new contract because his current one expires in 2024.
Originally scheduled to become a free agent, Ten Hag revealed in December that a condition in his contract had been triggered, extending his stay by an additional year.
Although United may make every effort to keep Fred, Ratcliffe taking over could potentially put a wrench in the plan.
The head of INEOS chose to vent about the Brazilian international in 2019 and insisted that he had been signed for "dumb money."
"They haven’t got the manager selection right, haven’t bought well," Ratcliffe told the Times.
"They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred."
"United have spent an immense amount since Ferguson left and been poor, to put it mildly.
“Shockingly poor, to be honest. We have a different approach here [at Nice] to be moderately intelligent about it. Try to do it more grassroots, trying to locate young talent."
"Some clubs seem to have an ability to do that, Southampton, Lille. United have done it really poorly. They have lost the plot."
Whatever happens with Fred, United does intend to bring in a fresh midfielder at the conclusion of the season.
Despite Liverpool and Real Madrid appearing to be in the lead in the race for the Borussia Dortmund star, Jude Bellingham is on their radar.
Ryan Gravenberch has been mentioned because he previously collaborated with Ten Hag at Ajax. United is also said to be interested in James Maddison because Leicester is prepared to allow the England international leave at the end of the season.
Fred, meantime, has had difficulty getting regular playing time lately.
Gary Neville, a former United player, reportedly asserted that he had "insight" into the player's absence as the FA Cup match against Manchester City next month approaches.
"I just think if we set up in such a way… I’m hoping that we go into the game with Bruno Fernandes on the right and that we stiffen up the midfield with Scott McTominay [holding] and Casemiro and Christian Eriksen or Marcel Sabitzer,” he said.
"And we go a bit more sort of thoughtful in the game."
"Doing what Arsenal did with the three in midfield that were attacking [was the wrong move]. We need to be a bit more [defensive]."
"Erik ten Hag doesn’t like doing this, he likes to dominate the ball, he likes to control the ball."
"He’s left Fred out for the last few months because he wants Eriksen."
“I’ve got a little bit of an insight into why Fred’s not playing, Sabitzer is playing because he can hold [the ball]."
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