Ten Hag said he cannot start the Manchester United player in the role recently against City

And while that may seem a bit harsh – sacking a manager when he still has a winner’s medal around his neck, under Van Gaal in 2016 – Ineos were never going to bet Manchester United’s immediate future on the outcome of a one-off finish. – game of the season.

If the Ten Hag are indeed gone, at least a rematch with last season’s FA Cup winners gives the 54-year-old the chance to ride off into the sunset with a smile on his face.

Manchester United face Man City again in the FA Cup Final

The former Ajax boss has at least Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Marcus Rashford at his disposal.

The returns of Martinez and Lindelof in particular should help make up for the loss of Harry Maguire, arguably Man United’s most consistent centre-half this season ‘avoided’ being ruled out through injury.

“The partnership between two centre-backs is essential,” former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told talkSPORT (May 24, 12.25) as he previewed the final.

Keown believes that even if Lindelof or Martinez are not fit enough to start the game, the Ten Hag must find a solution that does not involve deploying the increasingly maligned Casemiro at the heart of the back line.

“There is no way Casemiro can play in that position. i would put someone someone There! Maybe (Aaron) Wan-Bissaka there,” argues Keown.

“Sort that area in the middle and then you can build.”

Constant problems for Ten Hag

Of course, move Wan-Bissaka from the right and suddenly you have a gap to fill on the flank. A void that could be filled, however, by moving Diogo Dalot from left to right and giving Sofyan Amrabat the chance for a glorious delivery into the left-back spot that gave Erik ten constant headaches The Hague. – but that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Ten Hag just need their centre-backs to be fit and it looks like they might. Even Victor Lindelof could be available.

But the question of Wan-Bissaka’s changing role is one that has been brought up recently.

“When will he get Casemiro out of the back? Why can’t Amrabat play there or Scott McTominay?” said Rio Ferdinand Vibe with Five after the molasses-treading Brazilian recently played Arsenal’s entire front line a mile away en route to Leandro Trossard’s winner at Old Trafford.

“If you see a few mistakes from someone who hasn’t played there before, you think; “You know what, I’m not going to do that to you.” I don’t care how experienced he is, come on, let’s get you out of there and back into the position you know.”

“Aaron Wan-Bissaka can play there (at centre-back),” believes Ferdinand. “Amrabat plays right back. This is the most natural thing for me. Center back Wan-Bissaka, right back Amrabat, because he was happy to play left back for a few games.”

Similar topics