Manchester United signed off for the World Cup break in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon, beating Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage.
Fresh from stepping off the bench, youngster Alejandro Garnacho netted a 93rd-minute winner to seal a dramatic victory for the Reds, leaving them just three points shy of the Premier League's top-four. Considering they were bottom of the table after the opening two rounds of fixtures, signing off for the break within touching distance of the Champions League places deserves huge credit.
United have quickly transformed their fortunes under Erik ten Hag and you would like to think that they will only get stronger as the season progresses. The Dutchman is finding out more and more about his players as the weeks go by, meaning he should be close to settling on what he is likely to consider as his strongest starting line-up moving forwards.
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Injury issues have often robbed Ten Hag of the chance to settle on a preferred starting line-up so far this term, particularly in forward areas, but there is optimism that he could start to deploy a more settled side after the World Cup. However, such has been the recent form of Garnacho and Anthony Martial's return to fitness, it means that Ten Hag could have some difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks and months.
But such is the volume of games United have still got to play between now and the end of the season, considering they are competing in four different competitions, changes and rotation at certain junctures are to be expected. That will allow Ten Hag to both tinker and experiment.
With that said, MEN Sport has taken a close look at just three of the several different ways United could line-up in attack.
Attack 1 - Antony, Martial, Rashford
Many United supporters, journalists and pundits alike consider this to be United's strongest front-three under Ten Hag. The former Ajax boss made it his mission during the summer to strengthen the Reds' right-wing options and earmarked Antony as his top target.
After countless weeks of speculation, United finally secured his signature towards the end of the transfer window and he has enjoyed a solid start to life at Old Trafford, despite being forced to miss the last five games prior to the pause through injury. The timing of the Brazilian's injury coincided with Martial's return from a back problem, meaning he has not had the chance to link-up with the Frenchman for a solid amount of time just yet. They have only started once together and that was when Martial went off with the aforementioned back injury in last month's 2-1 win over Everton.
Martial, despite his injury problems, has flourished when called upon by Ten Hag this season, scoring four goals and getting two assists in just seven appearances. He is the Dutchman's first-choice striker and has his full support to spearhead United's attack.
Rashford, too, has flourished under Ten Hag so far, showing plenty of encouragement, as well as a genuine goal-threat again.
Attack 2 - Antony, Martial, Garnacho
The sudden rise of Garnacho has bumped him up the pecking order at rapid speed. After barely getting so much as a look in this season prior to starting the 3-0 Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol on October 27, the Argentine has now featured in five of United's last six matches in all competitions.
He has scored twice and grabbed two assists in his last four appearances, meaning he has fully justified his recent inclusions in the team. However, such is his relationship with the left-wing, he is in direct competition with Rashford for a starting berth every week.
The left-wing berth is Rashford's strongest position and Ten Hag, with the form he has shown this season, cannot take the England ace out of his strongest team to accommodate the 18-year-old, regardless of how much promise he is showing himself. United need to try and test the water with Garnacho on the right at some stage.
But in this instance, if Ten Hag is ever without Rashford, or decides to mix things up, perhaps for a cup fixture, Garnacho is in a strong position to pounce on an opening. He is a player that must be strongly considered.
Attack 3 - Sancho, Rashford, Garnacho
A slightly more unorthodox-looking front-three to the two previous options, but it is certainly a combination that Ten Hag could trial or be forced to deploy at some stage. Jadon Sancho, who has been left out of England's squad for the World Cup, was originally signed to strengthen United's right-wing, but has produced his best football for the club on the left.
He has struggled for form so far this season, meaning he is not currently at the forefront of Ten Hag's mind when it comes to choosing his wide options. However, he certainly has several gears still to go up through, whether it be on the right or the left.
Rashford, meanwhile, has produced his best football down the left, meaning debates about his best position are now a thing of the past. But he could, even if in an emergency scenario, play centrally. He has played there at times this season and certainly didn't flop.
That would allow Garnacho to come into the team on his favoured left side and produce his magic.
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