Erik ten Hag’s new ‘headache’ that will improve Manchester United

For large parts of last season, it felt as though the available Manchester United players were on their last legs every single game.

With the squad’s fitness levels low, injuries ravaged the squad and left little for Erik ten Hag to work with. It was evident that the players he did have to choose from were incredibly tired out, too.

It was a headache for Ten Hag. Wanting to protect your players is natural as a coach, but he had so few available to protect. Whilst there is a fair argument to say that the academy should have been looked to more, it is understandable why he didn’t want to throw so many youngsters into difficult situations.

This season, Erik ten Hag has a new selection headache and it is one that highlights the improvement of the squad over the summer.

For the first time in a few years, it feels like Manchester United have real depth across large parts of the squad, and this is with key players such as Luke Shaw and Rasmus Højlund still due to return in the coming weeks.

The news that Mason Mount is back in first-team training and could return much sooner than initially expected further boosts this. In the meantime, Christian Eriksen put together an excellent performance in central midfield against Southampton.

Last season, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans were United’s centre-back pairing on a number of occasions. Lisandro Martínez not quite fully recovered from his metatarsal injury late in the 2022/23 season and then was injured again from a collision with Vladimir Coufal.

Raphaël Varane’s availability was hit-and-miss, and Casemiro even dropped in to play centre-back for a number of games.

This season, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez are the established centre-back pairing, with exciting summer signing Leny Yoro due back around November time. Maguire is available to play when needed, and Casemiro came on at centre-back at the weekend, playing an excellent pass to Diogo Dalot to set up Alejandro Garnacho’s goal. Evans is still around although it is expected that United will be far less reliant on him to start games this season.

Noussair Mazraoui has replaced Aaron Wan-Bissaka and is an upgrade on him for United, putting together some extremely impressive performances at right back so far. He is also capable of playing as a left back, where Diogo Dalot has been deputising for the injured Luke Shaw.

Two right-backs that can cover both sides feels a real privilege, and when Shaw returns, United’s options in these positions are much stronger than last if he can remain fit. Tyrell Malacia is continuing his recovery from the knee injury that kept him out all of last season, and teenager Harry Amass may well see some minutes.

In midfield, there are more options available now. Whilst Scott McTominay’s loss is certainly felt, United’s core midfield trio of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes are all still at the club, with Christian Eriksen available too.

It is hoped that Mason Mount will be much more available this season than he was last, and Manuel Ugarte has been signed from PSG. Toby Collyer looks set to be a part of the first-team squad for this season, and whilst some development is needed in possession, he brings strong qualities out of it. Mount, Mainoo and Eriksen are versatile operators in midfield and Joshua Zirkzee or Amad could both play in the number 10 position if needed too.

In attack, it feels like United really have options now. The best mark of this is Alejandro Garnacho going from starting almost 40 games straight last season to being on the bench in three of United’s four games this season. He and Rashford both opened their accounts for the season on the weekend, and that will inject confidence into their game.

Zirkzee is getting up to speed, and Amad is arguably United’s best-performing player so far this term. The return of Rasmus Højlund, the biggest goal threat at the club, to United’s attack will only further strengthen Ten Hag’s attacking line. He will be eager to build on a debut season in which he scored ten league goals and six more in the Champions League.

There is still work to be done, and the team is still finding its rhythm, but in comparison to last season, the squad is stronger. Not just in terms of quality, but availability and depth are so far looking much better, and this can only be a good thing for Erik ten Hag—a headache that makes him feel better.

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