Man United have been urged to switch Sofyan Amrabat into midfield this weekend at Old Trafford against Brentford.
Man United have only recorded three Premier League wins this season, with one game left before the October international break.
Opponents Brentford have only won once themselves, but are just two points behind and could climb above United with an away win.
And the way Erik ten Hag’s side are playing right now, you wouldn’t back them to beat anybody.
United need to have strong bench
Speaking to MUTV’s The Debate, former United prospect Ben Thornley said the one big change he would make would be to move Sofyan Amrabat into midfield.
Amrabat has been covering at left-back for the past three games, amid injuries to Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguilon.
But after back to back defeats, and Erik ten Hag admitted the team is ‘unbalanced‘, it’s time for something new.
Speaking to MUTV, Thornley said: “First and foremost I would play Amrabat in the positon he was bought for. That is what I would do straight away.
“We are not going to see the best of Amrabat in the position he is playing in, especially when he’s coming up against speed merchants like Wissa and Mbeumo. I think he might get exposed.”
Amrabat was exposed against Galatasaray, looking out of sync with his teammates as the game went on, playing matchwinner Mauro Icardi onside.
Man United’s midfield is still looking brittle, and Amrabat has been brought into strengthen this area.
Yet, so far, Amrabat has not started a single game in midfield. This weekend would be an ideal time to change that.
Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are alternative options to play at left-back, with Harry Maguire ready to step in at centre-back if required.
Ten Hag needs hard decisions to make
Thornley added that Manchester United need a big result to make the upcoming international break a bearable one.
He said: “The manager has got some serious decisions ahead his weekend, its now or bust. To alleviate whats to come over the next fortnight because
It will seem hellishly long if we get anything other than a victory.”
He called on the players to step up and score early, and set the tone for a victory.
“One early goal. Whoever you are in that dressing room at five to three on Saturday,
Be that person that says ‘I’m going to give the team the lead’, whether you’re the right-back or the centre-forward. That can be the catalyst of the confidence starting to filter back.”
United did score early against Galatasaray, the problem was conceding straight afterwards. This has been a problem throughout the season, with the team lacking concentration. It’s an issue which needs cutting out this weekend.
