November 11th 2023.
Erik ten Hag faces a big selection dilemma when his Manchester United side take on Luton Town on Saturday afternoon. Jonny Evans has been ruled out after being forced off injured in the 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday, which led to Raphael Varane being brought onto replace him. However, Varane's uncomfortable evening has put his starting position in jeopardy.
In a press conference on Friday, ten Hag explained why he had recently made defensive decisions and why Evans had been paired with Harry Maguire instead of Varane. He believes Evans is the ideal foil for the in-form Maguire, and that a partnership between Maguire and Varane is not 'fluid' enough for his setup. Victor Lindelof could return to the starting XI this weekend, which could push Varane out of the lineup.
Diogo Dalot was shifted to the left when Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were still unavailable, but had a calamitous performance in the late collapse against Copenhagen. This could mean a return to the starting XI for Sergio Reguilon. In midfield, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay have been preferred with Mason Mount only starting one of the last six games. 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo could earn his first senior minutes of the season at some point, and Alejandro Garnacho has also completed the full 90 minutes in the last two games, fully justifying his place in the team. Marcus Rashford was shifted to the right to accommodate him on Wednesday, but with Antony in a miserable period of form, Garnacho seems likely to keep his spot.
Up front, Rasmus Hojlund has five goals in four Champions League appearances, but is still waiting to open his Premier League account. The visit of Luton could provide ample opportunity for just that if United can produce the sort of incisive start they had in Denmark midweek.
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