After last Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Brighton, nothing less than a victory and a much-improved performance will be acceptable for Manchester United when they face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium this teatime.
After Old Trafford was fuelled with fresh optimism and excitement ahead of kick-off against the Seagulls, it was emptied at full-time with a feeling of anger and discontent. United, not for the first time in recent months, produced another uninspiring and toothless performance on their own patch.
Ten Hag, despite his desperate need for new signings ahead of the transfer window closing, saw his tactical gamble crumble against Brighton, with his decision to deploy summer signing Christian Eriksen as a false nine backfiring miserably. As much as an outstanding player Eriksen is, you are never going to see the best of him as a striker.
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He was unable to lead the line and bring others into play, meaning the first half of his United debut was one that he is not likely to remember fondly. Trailing 2-0 at half-time, however, Ten Hag was left with no choice but to make changes, with Cristiano Ronaldo's introduction just eight minutes after the restart being the first.
The former Juventus man stepped off the bench to replace Fred, meaning he immediately took up residency at the top end of the pitch, forcing Eriksen back into midfield. However, the Dane did not slot into his most familiar role - the attacking-midfield position - as Ten Hag instructed him to drop deep and operate as United's deep-lying playmaker, lining up alongside Scott McTominay.
Immediately, Eriksen began to show why United had made the decision to sign him; he dictated proceedings and just about every attack the Reds mustered up in an attempt to force their way back into the contest went through him. He looked comfortable in the role and influenced a very slight improvement in United's overall performance.
It is why Ten Hag has been given an easy decision to make ahead of the trip south to face Brentford. Given United's lack of options at the top end of the pitch, Ronaldo must return to the starting line-up and start his first competitive match since May. Regardless of what happens with his future, United must make the most of his qualities while they are available to them.
He is the best player at the club and his tally of 24 goals last season proves that he is capable of finding the back of the net, even when he is not playing in a team that is flourishing. Ronaldo's expected return means that Ten Hag must decide who completes his midfield three.
Bruno Fernandes, though he was quiet against Brighton, has done nothing to deserve being axed from the starting line-up, meaning he will most likely continue as United's most advanced midfielder. Fred is also likely to start, leaving Eriksen and McTominay to battle it out for the final midfield berth.
Considering United need to get their first win on the board sooner rather than later, and McTominay produced a sluggish performance last weekend and is under constant scrutiny from the fans, deploying Eriksen alongside Fred and Fernandes in midfield is Ten Hag's safest bet, as it would not only please the fans but would also strengthen United's chances of winning the game, though Brentford cannot be underestimated, particularly at home.
Ten Hag's decision to ask Eriksen to operate as a false-nine last weekend was a trial that ought not to be repeated; it failed to serve United well and it stopped the Dane from playing his best game. As he proved in the second half, he can dictate proceedings from deep and bring a sense of control to the Reds' play, something Ten Hag is longing for.
Starting Eriksen and Fernandes in the same midfield carries a degree of risk, as it offers less defensive nous than it would if McTominay started alongside Fred. But given last weekend's performance, you dare say it can't be any worse.
Regardless of what approach Ten Hag chooses against the Bees, the need for new midfield options cannot be emphasised enough. But while he has to pick from his current pool of options, choosing attack as the best form of defence could offer United their best hope of getting off the mark, regardless of how big a football cliché that may be.
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