With the kudos from last season’s FA Cup win already wearing thin, the Dutchman takes his team to Southampton on Saturday lunchtime knowing that another loss, against a team yet to register a point this season, will leave him fighting for his future after a £175million summer spending spree.
Mercifully, United’s international players appeared to all escape injury in their games this week, and Express Sport looks at the key decisions facing Ten Hag ahead of one of the most critical team selections of his United tenure.
How long will United stay patient with the keeper who was hailed as a major signing from Inter Milan last summer? If the speculation linking the club to Spaniard Unai Simon is anything to go by, then Andre Onana must soon show he is as adept at guarding his net as he is with the ball at his feet.
Caught badly out of position for Mo Salah’s strike at Old Trafford last time out, the Cameroon international simply cannot afford to keep making regular errors. He’ll play of course, with Altay Bayindir clearly not considered a viable alternative, but like his manager, is a man under pressure.
Defence - Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui
After he was hurled off early against Liverpool, Ten Hag could have done with Matthijs de Ligt showing some form in a Netherlands shirt against Germany on Tuesday. Instead, his new signing made two first half errors that led to goals, was replaced at the interval, and then called out afterwards by manager Ronald Koeman.
Joshua Zirkzee could drop back to the bench after starting against Liverpool. (Image: Getty)
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Now is no time for sentiment at United, and nor can they afford the luxury of allowing a new player time to find his feet. Expect Ten Hag to again turn to the man who a year ago appeared an outcast, with Harry Maguire in line to partner Lisandro Martinez. Given Luke Shaw is still sidelined, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui will continue as full backs.
Midfield - Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes
If starting new £51million man Manuel Ugarte would represent a risk after playing no club football so far this season, then keeping faith with Casemiro would be a bigger one. Regardless of his undoubted quality and experience, the Brazilian’s horror show last time out depicted a player devoid of form or confidence.
Throwing Ugarte into the mix, even if not for the full 90 minutes, would add hunger and bite into United’s midfield. In contrast, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes simply must start - and will.
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Attack - Amad, Rashford, Garnacho
And this is where the headaches really do start for Ten Hag. Now the euphoria of his debut winner against Fulham has died down, the manager should recognise that Joshua Zirkzee has struggled to fire since, and may be best served returning him to an impact role at St Mary’s.
Despite his latest Instagram mishap, Alejandro Garnacho will play, while Amad showed enough in his last start against Brighton to merit the chance to run at the home defence from the first whistle. The pair will flank Marcus Rashford as a No.9, but he too could soon be fighting for his place if he fails to shine - or score - for the fourth Premier League game in a row. If passed fit, expect Rasmus Hojlund to feature in the second half.
Man Utd predicted XI in full: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes, Amad, Rashford, Garnacho.
