Manchester United sit eighth in the Premier League and rock bottom of their Champions League group.
As we approach the middle of November, we are now past the point where a coach can claim they are still waiting for new signings to adapt.
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So, at what point does the performance of Man Utd become enough of a concern that Erik ten Hag’s position as manager comes under threat?
The answer should surely be soon.
Ten Hag, however, is still adamant that injuries and suspensions have acted against him to the point where he has not been able to field what he considers to be his best XI.
This is potentially true, but not just because of injury and suspension.
The signing of Andre Onana was supposed to signal the start of Man Utd becoming a team that can play out from the back.
But Harry Maguire, United’s best ball-playing central defender, has only just come back into the team after they tried to sell him in the summer.
But what is Ten Hag’s “best” team?
Here we consider which players would play in his best side in a 4-3-3 formation.
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Goalkeeper – Andre Onana
The signing of Onana, from Inter Milan was supposed to signal the start of United playing out from the back with a possession-focused style of play.
Last season United had to use their long-standing goalkeeper David de Gea in this position but the Spanish international was always too poor with the ball at his feet to play out accurately.
Now, with Onana in place, United can play out from the back. The Cameroonian international is strong in possession with the ability to receive and then play out from the back and between the lines of the opposition press.
Goalkeepers, however, also have to be able to play with their hands and so far this season we have seen Onana make too many errors that have led to goals that were easily avoidable.
League minutes played this season: 1119
Right-Back – Diogo Dalot
Diego Dalot is now one of the long-serving players in the United squad and the versatile Portuguese defender has established himself as the first choice at right back.
Dalot is a more complete option for United in this position than Aaron Wan-Bissaka and he offers more for United when they are in possession.
So far this season we have also seen Dalot play at left-back to provide cover in multiple positions.
While Wan Bissaka is perhaps better defensively, there is little doubt that Dalot is the better all-round fullback option.
League minutes played this season: 949
Central Defenders – Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez
Perhaps this is the first controversial take as we have selected Maguire instead of Raphael Varane.
While Varane is an exceptionally experienced central defender he does not fit the profile of central defenders for Ten Hag as he struggles to effectively play out from the back in possession.
That’s before you even get to his failure to head clear Copenhagen’s winner on Tuesday night.
Maguire, on the other hand, has gone from strength to strength since breaking back into the United first-team.
League minutes played this season: 448
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The injury to Lisandro Martinez has perhaps been the biggest disruptor to United’s performances in the league this season.
When the Argentinean defender was signed there was a concern that he was too small for the position but his performances and his aggressive approach against the ball have impressed since he came into the team.
His profile would complement Maguire well.
League minutes played this season: 412
Left-Back – Luke Shaw
Despite the signing of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord early in the reign of Ten Hag, it is fair to say that Luke Shaw remains the best left-back in the squad.
In recent weeks, with Shaw and Malacia both injured we have seen the likes of Dalot, Victor Lindelof and even Sofyan Amrabat used at left-back.
With Shaw missing from the team United are missing a consistent attacking threat on the left side of the pitch and Marcus Rashford, playing on the left wing, is being isolated.
League minutes played this season: 204
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Central midfield – Casemiro, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes
Yes, Casemiro has made the team, but only due to a lack of other options who can play as the deepest midfielder.
While the club did sign the Moroccan international Sofyan Amrabat, on loan from Fiorentina, it is fair to say that Amrabat has found the adaptation to the Premier League difficult.
Casemiro was very impressive at the base of the United midfield last season but this season his performances have dropped off.
With that said, however, with a more consistent team around him, his experience could still be important over the course of the season.
League minutes played this season: 730
Mason Mount is the first of our two more advanced central midfielders in Ten Hag’s best team.
The English international midfielder was signed this past summer from Chelsea and he was expected to provide drive and creativity from the centre of the park, although at times for Chelsea he played wide.
So far, however, we have not seen the best of Mount as United have struggled to find a midfield unit that can work as a group.
Going forward though it is likely that Mount will develop into a key midfielder for United.
League minutes played this season: 380
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Bruno Fernandes is arguably United’s most important player.
The Portuguese international midfielder is often at the heart of everything that United do well in the attacking phase.
His ability to find space and receive the ball in pockets of space and his aggressive nature in terms of passing forward or finding space to shoot really opens the game up for United.
So far this season the lack of consistency in the midfield for United has impacted how strong Fernandes has been.
League minutes played this season: 1119
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Attack – Antony, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund
Antony… just. The fact that we are selecting the Brazilian international as the starting right-winger in Ten Hag’s best team says a lot about United’s options and their recruitment so far this year.
Antony was a big-money signing from Ten Hag’s former side Ajax and his transfer was thought to be key for United going forward.
Instead, Antony has flattered to deceive and amidst off-field issues, he has struggled to really put his stamp on the Premier League.
We would expect United to be targeting a right-winger in the transfer window sooner rather than later
League minutes played this season: 504
Rashford is another player who was extremely impressive last season although his form this season has fallen away.
On his day the English international forward is almost unplayable with his combination of power and pace but his game intelligence and movement also impresses.
He carries a real goal threat from the left side of the attack although the lack of a recognised left-back has certainly affected his performances so far this season.
League minutes played this season: 917
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Hojlund was the last of the big-money players signed this past summer by United as the Danish international joined from the Serie A side Atalanta.
He is a powerful forward who is at his best when able to use his pace to run in behind the defensive line although his finishing shows more control than we might expect from such a young striker.
Hojlund is a striker in the image of United’s counter-attacking history.
He will terrify opposition defenders and they will drop deeper and deeper to try to take away space that Hojlund can run into.
This should, in turn, allow United to control more games.
League minutes played this season: 633
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Conclusion
There does seem to appear to be some truth to the idea that Ten Hag has not been able to play his best team this season.
The signings of Onana, Mount and Hojlund combined with significant injuries to Martinez and Shaw and the lack of game time for Maguire has seen to this.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
If United are going to be able to rebuild their season, however, they need to start getting the most out of their key players by using them together as often as possible.
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