Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made four changes to the starting line-up for their Europa League clash against Porto, as the Red Devils aim to recover from a difficult run of form.
United enter the match at the Estadio do Dragao on the back of a three-game winless streak, which includes a crushing 3-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Looking for a response from his squad, Ten Hag has reshuffled his starting eleven, making adjustments across both midfield and attack. Andre Onana retains his spot in goal after an impressive showing against Spurs, where the Cameroonian keeper made seven crucial saves to prevent an even more lopsided scoreline.
In defence, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui take up positions as the full-backs, while the central partnership of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez remains unchanged. This defensive setup is expected to provide stability against a Porto side known for its offensive capabilities.
In midfield, two notable changes stand out. Manuel Ugarte has been dropped in favor of the experienced Casemiro, who will bring defensive solidity and leadership to the team. Christian Eriksen, who has been preferred over the younger Kobbie Mainoo, will aim to bring creativity and control in the center of the park.
In attack, Amad Diallo replaces Alejandro Garnacho on the right wing, while Bruno Fernandes remains in his favored number 10 role, where he will be the primary playmaker for the team. Marcus Rashford, despite some inconsistent performances, continues to be trusted on the left side of the attack.
The most significant change comes in the striker position, where Rasmus Højlund gets his first start of the season. The young forward takes over from Joshua Zirkzee, who has struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks. Ten Hag will be hoping that Højlund’s energy and movement will provide the cutting edge United have been lacking.
This line-up signals Ten Hag’s desire for a stronger performance against Porto, as United look to regain momentum in their Europa League campaign.
Leave a Reply