Manchester United’s collapse against Tottenham Hotspur highlighted some of the major issues with their squad - none more so than Erik ten Hag’s lack of quality options to influence matches positively.
United cruised into an early lead against Spurs on Thursday night with Jadon Sancho breaking the deadlock after just seven minutes. Marcus Rashford doubled the visitors' lead just before half-time and at the break, it looked as if Ten Hag’s side were running away with it.
They had dominated the opening 45 minutes and it seemed to be a case of just how many goals they would win by - and in the process extend Tottenham's misery after they were dismantled by Newcastle the previous week.
But fast forward an hour or so and United’s players were leaving the pitch shell-shocked having surrendered their lead. Some credit has to go to the hosts, of course, who fought back bravely in Ryan Mason’s first game in charge.
Much of the blame, however, lies with United, whose killer instinct deserted them. Ten Hag’s substitutions didn't help and highlighted the need for the Dutch manager to have a deeper squad to utilise next season.
It is an issue former Red Devils defender Gary Neville has already warned the club about. Just last week, Neville listed the positions United must aim to strengthen this summer in the aftermath of their Europa League quarter-final exit to Sevilla.
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Neville’s list included a new signing in attack, which is widely considered to be United’s priority going into the transfer window. Marcus Rashford started up front against Spurs but it is clear he prefers to play from the left, leaving the club desperate for a new option to compete with Anthony Martial.
The first of Ten Hag’s substitutions against Spurs saw Jadon Sancho - who scored the opening goal - and Christian Eriksen come off. Martial and Fred were sent on but the changes appeared to halt United’s momentum and altered the trajectory of the game with Spurs getting a goal back through Pedro Porro.
Next, Ten Hag opted to bring on Tyrell Malacia and Wout Weghorst in an attempt to halt Tottenham ’s charge. The introduction of Malacia for Aaron Wan-Bissaka meant there was a change in both full-back positions with Diogo Dalot switching to the right having started on the left.
Malacia looked uneasy from the moment he came on and the Netherlands international was caught out of position for the equaliser as Harry Kane crossed for Son Heung-min. It is perhaps unsurprising that full-back is another position Neville believes his former club needs to work on this summer.
Another area Neville pointed out in a Q&A with fans on Twitter was the centre-back berth - and it appears Ten Hag agrees. With first-choice pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane remaining sidelined, Luke Shaw filled in again in the middle of defence with Victor Lindelof.
Harry Maguire could miss this weekend’s game against Aston Villa and Ten Hag admitted he is not sure what his back four will look like. “We have to look from game to game and now we have to focus on Villa and see what's the best against Villa,” he said.
“But we don't have so many options in that position. Already a left full-back like Luke is doing great now as a left centre-back.”
The final position Neville wants to see improved is goalkeeper. While David de Gea was not at fault for either of the goals Tottenham scored, the Spaniard has come under extensive scrutiny recently, with United expected to sign a new backup option.
United slipped to fourth in the Premier League given Newcastle’s win against Everton but Champions League football remains highly likely to return to Old Trafford. It is clear Ten Hag needs to address a number of problem positions as United compete on several fronts next season.
