Erik ten Hag has a selection headache ahead of him as Manchester United prepare to take on Newcastle United in the Premier League this weekend.
United left it late at Old Trafford on Thursday night, as Scott McTominay scored in the 93rd minute to give Ten Hag's side a vital three points in their pursuit of topping their Europa League group. The visitors put up a spirited defence to keep the Reds at bay, but the relentless pressure from the home side proved too much in the end.
McTominay's strike was the 34th attempt that United mustered during the match, as the game grew more frantic with every passing minute. Ten Hag recently learnt about Sir Alex Ferguson's 'squeaky bum time' phrase last week - a concept he will now be far more familiar with.
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The focus now shifts back to the Premier League, as United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. Ten Hag's substitutes made all the difference for their 1-0 win on Thursday night, and some of them may just be rewarded for their mid-week performances.
In goal, David de Gea will undoubtedly remain between the sticks, as Martin Dubravka still waits for his first appearance in a United shirt.
Diogo Dalot is one of a handful of United players that will be cemented in Ten Hag's starting XI, so too is Lisandro Martinez as questions still remain over the composition of the rest of the Reds' back-line. Should Raphael Varane be deemed fit enough, he would of course return to first-team action, but that is still yet to be seen.
Tyrell Malacia has had a bit of a downturn in form during his last few outings for United, after failing to make an impact for the first hour against Omonia, Ten Hag turned to Luke Shaw for the final thirty minutes. The Dutchman favoured the 27-year-old in his starting XI against Everton, and he may well look to do the same again this weekend.
In midfield, McTominay's suspension has given Ten Hag an easy decision to make. In truth, Casemiro was always likely to retain his starting position after his Man of the Match display against the Toffees, as a welcome return to the first-team awaits Christian Eriksen who will undoubtedly be called up from his brief 70 minute spell on United's bench.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal against Frank Lampard's side last weekend, yet failed to make an impact during the mid-week clash. Jadon Sancho looked energetic during his half hour cameo on Thursday night but may not have done enough to start. Anthony Martial could lead the line instead of Ronaldo if he is deemed fit.
Predicted United team vs Newcastle: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Fernandes, Antony, Rashford, Martial.
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