A number of Manchester United first team stars will be looking to impress Erik ten Hag throughout the upcoming international break if they are to secure their long-term future at the club.
With the World Cup just around the corner, plenty of players will be heading off to Qatar with their respective nations. But those who are left behind will be focused on getting in Ten Hag’s good books ahead of United’s return to Premier League action in December.
Mirror Football takes a look at seven Man United players who must do their best to impress the Dutchman when they won’t be at the World Cup next month.
David de Gea
No.1 goalkeeper De Gea has already found out that he will not be going to the World Cup with Spain after being left out of Luis Enrique’s 55-man provisional squad, meaning he will have extra time to focus on improving his ball-playing skills and impressing Ten Hag.
Despite playing every match for the Red Devils so far this season, Ten Hag is still unsure about De Gea’s long-term future at the club, with the Dutchman having doubts over the Spaniard’s ability to play with the ball at his feet. However, the 31-year-old can use the international break to prove why his manager should have second thoughts.
Which other Man Utd players need to impress Erik ten Hag over the World Cup break? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Anthony Martial
Having not played for France since 2021, while he has already struggled with three separate injuries this season, Martial is not expected to be part of Les Bleus’ World Cup squad and will therefore remain with the Red Devils throughout the tournament.
The Frenchman highly impressed during pre-season, while he has three goals and two assists in just four appearances this season. If he can retain full fitness over the international break, he has the perfect opportunity to show Ten Hag why he deserves a shot at playing as United’s main striker.
Jadon Sancho
Like Martial, Sancho also hasn’t played at international level since 2021, while he also impressed during pre-season for the Red Devils. However, he has struggled for consistent form in the early part of the 2022/23 campaign at Old Trafford.
Three goals and two assists after 14 games this season is already nearing his tally from 38 games last campaign, but Sancho must use the international break to show Ten Hag that he can rediscover his best form for United and remain a regular starter in the first team.
Victor Lindelof
Lindelof will be an ever present around Carrington throughout the World Cup after Sweden failed to qualify for the tournament, but with Raphael Varane recovering from injury, he has the perfect chance to stake his claim for a starting spot in the Frenchman’s absence.
Lindelof became fourth choice centre back after Lisandro Martinez’s summer arrival, but following Harry Maguire’s poor start to the season, and the aforementioned injury to Varane, the defender can get his match fitness back on track and prove that he is ready to be called upon.
Anthony Elanga
Elanga is another forward player who must use the international break wisely to impress Ten Hag, having seen his opportunities limited this season after becoming an important member of United’s first team under Ralf Rangnick last season.
With Martial’s injury issues, Sancho’s inconsistent form and the future of Cristiano Ronaldo still in doubt, Elanga must prove to Ten Hag that can be relied upon to fill the absence of the trio, and show exactly what qualities he has to offer the team, with there being no question over his potential.
Scott McTominay
Having been a regular starter at the beginning of Ten Hag’s reign, McTominay has seen himself fall down the pecking order at Old Trafford to summer signing Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, of which the former has taken over a new defensive midfield role.
With it looking as though Casemiro is a vital cog in United’s team, McTominay must compete alongside Fred for a place as first choice backup for the two midfield places. However, with all three of those players set to be at the World Cup, the Scotsman can remind Ten Hag of his own qualities.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka’s career at Old Trafford is on the verge of being all but over after Ten Hag was willing to let him leave during the summer, while injury has restricted him to just four minutes of action all season.
However, he is still technically the main backup right back to Diogo Dalot and, with the Portuguese set to be at the World Cup, Wan-Bissaka will have the chance to impress Ten Hag and convince the Dutchman that he is still a useful asset to have around the club.
