Players produce moments, teams win matches but squads win you trophies. It’s why Erik ten Hag was so adamant about keeping his roster bulky at the start of the season.
He used 28 different players in the triumphant League Cup run and the figure will be not far off that total by the time United line up against Manchester City in the FA Cup final. In a long season, substitutes need to produce the goods.
For most of this season, Ten Hag has been able to use his substitutes to influence and change games. Think Alejandro Garnacho’s assist for Marcus Rashford’s winner against City in January.
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Antony’s strike against Barcelona and more recently Anthony Martial’s goal against Everton can be thrown into that hat too. But Ten Hag’s plan B hasn't worked as often in recent months.
The Dutchman got it wrong against Newcastle in the 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park and his changes against Sevilla and Tottenham arguably made the team weaker. Martial’s goal against Everton four weeks ago was the last time a substitute found the net for United.
The Reds have lost one and drawn two of the six matches since, including the loss to Sevilla and the 2-2 draw with Tottenham. Part of this is down to the bad injury and suspension luck United have suffered, and the depth of the squad has been exposed.
The return of Alejandro Garnacho will be a major boost and promote competition on the flanks once again. Rashford is still nearing full speed again following his injury, his goal against Spurs evidence of this.
Martial’s availability is a big bonus while Scott McTominay’s impending comeback will at least add another option for the midfield when legs are tired. All of this will help Ten Hag to be able to use the right tools for the right job.
United travel to Brighton and the AMEX Stadium on Thursday, a place they were humiliated 4-0 last season. Cristiano Ronaldo was seen shaking his head in disbelief at the capitulation as the travelling fans booed their team off.
There was similar vexing when United fell to defeat to Brighton on the opening day of the season in Ten Hag’s opening game. The mood is in a much better place this time around with United surely destined for a top four spot.
There will be no animosity should United lose given the Seagulls’ terrific form but there will be angst. The Reds could find themselves on the back foot initially, which is no crisis despite the hidings they have given the likes of Chelsea and more recently Wolves.
But if they go behind, Brighton will expose United's weaknesses if Ten Hag does not get his substitutions right. It could be argued that Brighton are the toughest team United face in the Premier League run-in.
They will be expected to beat West Ham, Bournemouth, Wolves, Chelsea and Fulham. Ideally, Ten Hag will want and expect his starting XI to do the job against all of those teams.
But if not, he will have to discover his back-up wildcard plan to ensure United do not let their top four security slip. He needs his plan B to be well-oiled again if things go awry in the FA Cup final against Manchester City in the season’s curtain closer in four weeks’ time.
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