It was not that long ago that Manchester United fans were dreaming of a cup treble and a top four finish, in what would have been a hugely successful first season for Erik ten Hag.
However, following United’s crumbling in Europe at the hands of Sevilla, their FA Cup hopes hang on trying to defeat one of the form sides in the country.
The 3-0 defeat to a team 13th place in LaLiga is the latest humiliation in a season that has seen them lose 4-0 to Brentford and their 7-0 thrashing at Anfield.
With a squad that is looking fatigued and an injury dilemma in defence, Ten Hag has to make some big decisions to ensure United’s season doesn’t end with a whimper.
Mail Sport looks at what the Dutchman can do to keep the Red Devils’ season alive ahead of their date with Brighton at Wembley.
Erik ten Hag has some issues to fix to make sure Man Utd’s season doesn’t end in a whimper
Manchester United crashed out of the Europa League to Sevilla on Thursday, losing 3-0
BOUNCE BACK AGAIN
One of United’s best attributes this season has been their ability to bounce back after a major setback.
August’s shambolic display at Brentford, where they shipped four without reply, was followed up by a vital win against old rivals Liverpool – a victory that really sparked Erik Ten Hag’s reign into life.
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Equally, United’s 7-0 humbling at the hands of Liverpool in March was quickly followed by a much needed response in their Europa League tie with Real Betis, which saw a comfortable 4-1 win.
Ten Hag will need his troops to repeat the same trick after once again suffering a disappointing defeat and seeing their hopes for a Europa League triumph surprisingly come to end at the hands of Sevilla.
It’s obviously a mentality that Dutchman has been able to instil in his team after similar setbacks this season.
However, United will face their biggest test yet when the try and pick themselves up once again and face a Brighton side who are flying under Roberto De Zerbi.
LETS TALK ABOUT BRUNO
Bruno Fernandes missed the Sevilla game through suspension, but his importance for the remainder of the season can’t be underestimated.
With Christian Eriksen now back in the starting line-up alongside Casemiro, it will allow the Portuguese to return to his role at the top of the midfield trio in the more attacking role.
In 17 games in which those three have started together this season, United have won 15 and drawn two – a win ratio of 88 per cent.
Meaning the trio are unbeaten as combination in Ten Hag’s midfield, and making them must-starters for the remainder of the campaign.
Bruno Fernandes return to the tip of United’s midfield trio could be key for Ten Hag’s side
The Portuguese has been as influential as ever this season in an unbeatable midfield three
Opta revealed that United remain unbeaten in 17 games when the three midfielders start
Fernandes’ return to his more attacking role will also allow him to contribute more to United’s goal return. Too often, he’s sacrificed that side of his game this season to drop deeper in United’s midfield and it’s meant he has failed to score in 15 of his last 17 games for the club.
However, with the 28-year-old now complemented by a fit again Eriksen and the imperious Casemiro, there is a chance for Fernandes to add to his 10 goals and 13 assists this season – and they will surely start together at Wembley.
The only concern is a risk of burn-out from the Portugal international. Some of the United stars looked leggy against Sevilla and Fernandes has already played 49 games so far this season, and started all but one of them.
SHAW UP THE DEFENCE
One of United’s biggest issues for the remainder of the season lies in the centre of defence, where they are without their first-choice pairing.
Lisandro Martinez limped out of the Red Devils’ first leg tie with Sevilla last week and has since been ruled out the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot.
The Argentine’s defensive partner Raphael Varane is also set to be sidelined for a ‘few weeks’, which has seen Ten Hag turn to Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire as his alternative duo in the centre of defence.
However, Maguire will be suspended for United’s FA Cup semi-final with Brighton leaving just Lindelof and Phil Jones as the only recognised centre-halves available.
Having not played all season it’s unlikely Jones would get the call, while the possibility of moving Casemiro into the backline would upset the recently reunited midfield trio of the Brazilian and his midfield partners Eriksen and Fernandes.
Luke Shaw could be the answer to United’s central defensive crisis by switching to the middle
One option could be to move Luke Shaw in the centre, something that the England international has done already this season.
Shaw is just recovering from his own injury, but was fit enough to come off the bench against Sevilla and will be in contention for Sunday’s FA Cup tie.
The left-back enjoyed a successful spell in the middle earlier in the season, receiving rave reviews for his performances in United’s 2-1 win over Manchester City and his display in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
The United boss praised Shaw’s leadership qualities and physical power in that position, and the team failed to lose a game with the former Southampton man in the centre of their defence.
MAKING MORE OF A MARK
It’s no secret that Manchester United will be in the market for a striker in the summer, but before then Ten Hag will need more from both Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst before the end of the season.
Martial started in the defeat to Sevilla, but later went off with suspected injury after another laboured display and was replaced by Weghorst.
However, between them this season the pair – who have shared the majority of the time as the focal point of United’s attack – have scored just nine goals between them.
Wout Weghorst has not scored enough goals in United’s attack since his January loan move
Their disappointing return has been highlighted further the absence of Marcus Rashford, who so often this season has been United’s main source for goals.
The England international has scored 28 times this season, and his return to fitness will offer the Red Devils more of a goal threat, but he needs help from the strikers.
Part of Weghorst’s role is to bring others into play, and no doubt he’ll also benefit from Rashford’s return, but Ten Hag needs to workout a way to get more goals from the Dutchman and Martial – if he can stay fit.
TRUST IN SANCHO
Jadon Sancho had another frustrating evening in Spain, failing to make an impact on the game before being substituted for Marcus Rashford at half time.
However, there has been a renewed faith in Sancho from Erik ten Hag, starting the 23-year-old in the last five matches.
It’s a belief from the manager that has stemmed from Sancho’s break from the first-team picture last October, that gave the forward a reset both physically and mentally.
Sancho was left out of the United squad and allowed to train in on his own in Holland under the supervision of coaches recommended by Erik ten Hag.
Since his return, the England international has enjoyed a consistent run in the side and while we’re yet to see the same form we saw from Sancho at Borussia Dortmund, having a manager who believes in him will only fuel his confidence.
A fully fit Jadon Sancho from a physical and mental point of view can only be a good thing for United and Ten Hag must stick with his man to get the best out of him for the remainder of the campaign – starting with Sunday’s big semi-final clash.
A fully fit and confident Jadon Sancho could have a massive say before the end of the season