Man Utd team news vs Real Betis: Erik ten Hag could make six changes for Europa League clash
Erik ten Hag, the head coach of Manchester United, may make some alterations to his team for their Europa League second leg match against Real Betis on Thursday.
The Red Devils have a comfortable 4-1 lead and have travelled to Seville for the return match at the Benito Villamarin.
Given their congested fixture list, the Dutchman might be inclined to give some rest to a few of his exhausted players.
While United has already won the Carabao Cup, they are still technically competing in all four competitions, although winning the Premier League seems unlikely.
The Europa League is considered a competition that Manchester United can win, and as a result, Erik ten Hag will be cautious about making significant changes to his team for the match against Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis.
SportsDias has analyzed how United may set up in the south of Spain as they seek to progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament…
Goalkeeper – David de Gea
Despite some shaky performances recently, it appears that Erik ten Hag will continue to trust David De Gea in goal, as 36-year-old Tom Heaton lacks match practice and is unlikely to be risked in a crucial game.
De Gea has been inconsistent lately, having conceded seven goals against Liverpool and being unsteady in the match against Betis.
Ten Hag has suggested that De Gea’s difficulty with distribution could make it challenging for him to remain at the club beyond the summer, but for the time being, United is expected to stick with their long-serving goalkeeper.
Defenders – Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia
Erik ten Hag will be hoping to have Victor Lindelof back in the team after he recovered from illness, and he may partner him with the out-of-favour captain Harry Maguire.
Lindelof has found himself behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Maguire in the pecking order this season, and this game could provide a rare opportunity for him to impress his manager.
In the first leg at Old Trafford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka replaced Diogo Dalot at halftime and put in an impressive 45-minute performance.
As United scored three second-half goals to comfortably beat Betis, Wan-Bissaka’s contribution was notable. Additionally, recalling Tyrell Malacia will provide a much-needed break for Luke Shaw, who may be feeling fatigued.
Midfielders – Casemiro, Fred, Scott McTominay
In a match where players need rest, Erik ten Hag would have preferred to give Casemiro a break.
However, the Brazilian received a red card for a high challenge, resulting in a four-match ban in the Premier League. With limited options for replacements, the United boss must keep his substitutes fresh.
Instead, Bruno Fernandes could be given a rest, and a physical three-man midfield could be fielded by Ten Hag to tighten things up in the middle of the park.
Marcel Sabitzer would have been an ideal candidate to replace the Portuguese, but the on-loan Bayern Munich player has been out of the squad for the past two games due to a mysterious injury.
Sabitzer has returned to training and may play a role in Seville, but Ten Hag may choose not to risk him from the start due to Casemiro’s impending absence in the coming weeks.
Forwards – Jadon Sancho, Wout Weghorst, Facundo Pellistri
Alejandro Garnacho is ruled out for the game, while Anthony Elanga’s poor form makes it likely that Ten Hag will field a strong attack with Jadon Sancho returning to the starting lineup in place of Antony, who was absent from Wednesday’s training session due to illness.
Garnacho sustained an injury following a challenge by Southampton’s right-back Kyle Walker-Peters, and after linking up with the Argentina squad, it was discovered that he would be out until after the international break.
Anthony Martial has been training with the squad, but Ten Hag is being cautious about his return due to a hip problem that has kept him out since February. As a result, Weghorst is expected to maintain his starting position, having started every game since joining on loan from Burnley.
If Rashford is rested, Facundo Pellistri could be given a chance to start the game following his impressive performances from the bench.
Man Utd team news vs Real Betis: Erik ten Hag could make six changes for Europa League clash
