Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces up to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night missing at least five players who may have been in line to feature.
The pressure is growing on the Dutchman after United were outthought, outduelled and outclassed by rivals Manchester City in a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The manner of United’s defeat was perhaps the most concerning thing for supporters, with City in cruise control for much of the game after taking the lead through Erling Haaland’s contentious first half penalty.
Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial, Mason Mount and Antony remain without a goal or an assist in any competition this season, while Marcus Rashford, scorer of 30 goals in all competitions last term, has converted just 2.3% of his shots into a solitary Premier League goal this time around.
But it’s not just a lack of form that has caused United to lose seven games in all competitions this season. Last season’s Carabao Cup winners continue to be plagued by injuries to key players, with issues in defence evident by Victor Lindelof’s continued selection at left-back.
For the visit of Newcastle, who United beat at Wembley last year to end their six-year trophy drought, in this season’s Carabao Cup fourth round, Ten Hag must continue to do without both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Shaw is expected to return at the end of November from a muscle injury sustained in August’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, with Malacia’s recovery from an issue of his own following a similar timescale.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also missing on the other flank because of a hamstring injury – he too is closing on a return to action but won’t be ready to give Diogo Dalot a breather on Wednesday night.
There’s also problems in central defence amid Lisandro Martinez’s long-term foot injury. The Argentine’s ability was questioned in the early months of last season, but his form during Ten Hag’s relatively successful first year in charge proved he has the talent to cut it at the top level.
United operated with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans against City, as Ten Hag claimed pre-game that Raphael Varane’s omission from the starting lineup was a tactical decision rather than because the Frenchman had another injury. Whether that was the case remains to be seen, particularly as the injury-prone Varane has already missed matches this season.
Casemiro is also carrying an ankle injury and isn’t likely to start in the base of midfield. That means Sofyan Amrabat must continue his baptism of fire in a United side lacking confidence – the Moroccan the only naturally defensive-minded midfielder Ten Hag has left at his disposal, with Mount, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay far more effective further forward.
Ten Hag failed to hold a press conference on Wednesday, instead focusing on matters on the training pitch, and he’ll hope the extra time on the training ground will get his side prepared for a Newcastle team who continue to score goals for fun under Eddie Howe.
