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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Richard Fay

Erik ten Hag can't make the Manchester United changes he needs to after Liverpool thrashing

It will be fascinating to see what type of response Manchester United give when they return to action tomorrow night against Real Betis.

Marcus Rashford has already tweeted that he wishes they could have played on Monday to put things right, with the United players who started at the weekend eager to go again and prove that their Anfield annihilation really was a one-off.

There is an argument to stick with the same team that was so shameful in the second-half against Liverpool and see what they are really made of, though none of them could have any complaints if they were dropped either.

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Ten Hag's team selection against Betis is also complicated by the fact that he doesn't really have many senior players available who could come in for a game of such importance and be trusted to do a job.

Even after conceding seven goals, it is certain David de Gea will keep his place, and you'd sense that a couple of defenders will keep their places as well.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has to come in at right-back and Tyrell Malacia would be worth a go on the left. Yet it would still represent a sizeable risk to play an entirely new backline, so one of Lisandro Martinez or Raphael Varane should keep their place.

It is a similar story in midfield, where there simply aren't enough options at Ten Hag's disposal to tear things apart. Fred could drop out with either Scott McTominay or Marcel Sabitzer taking his place, but it would be a surprise for Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes to miss out from the start if both are fully fit.

There would have been more scope for change were Christian Eriksen or Donny van de Beek fit, but with the duo still sidelined through injury, there really aren't many other options open to the manager.

If there are going to be changes, then it seems likely they'd come in attack. Marcus Rashford remains the in-form man, so he should keep his starting role, but Antony and Wout Weghorst would be extremely lucky to keep theirs.

Jadon Sancho was an unused substitute at Anfield and should be relatively unscathed because he did not contribute to the disastrous performance, and there would be few complaints if Alejandro Garnacho was given another start.

The main concern for United in attack is a lack of central striking options, which means they may have to play Rashford through the middle unless Anthony Martial regains fitness after a lengthy absence. Realistically, Martial is unlikely to be seen until after the international break at the end of the month.

In an ideal world, Ten Hag would be able to bring a new striker into the line-up, but he will likely have to select between a player being played out of position and a striker who has just one goal in 14 appearances for the club since joining.

If the weekend defeat was a reality check about how much work still needs to be done on the pitch, Thursday night could be one that shows how much improvement the squad needs too.

United are in need of change, but they might not be able to make as much as they'd like.

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