Erik ten Hag named his strongest Manchester United side against Wolves. They still nearly managed to throw it all away.
There were certainly positives to take from the dominant performance, and on another day, it might well have been a victory by a far bigger margin, but the harsh truth is that it wasn’t. It was the same story against Newport a week ago. United could have won by a three- or four-goal margin but instead, they threw away another lead when they should have been comfortable.
Yet it would still be a surprise if they chose to make any changes today. Ten Hag has regularly cited his ambition of having a settled squad, and now he has the opportunity to do just that.
It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t, though. See, while it might be the strongest United side on paper, there is still an argument to suggest it could be better.
United’s midfield was ripped apart at ease twice in the last week, but Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo won’t be dropped, and the defence has conceded five goals in three matches when the centre-back pairing is supposed to be world-class.
Of course, keeping a clean sheet is not solely down to the centre-backs, but they are certainly a major factor. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are still widely believed to be the best two at the club, and yet the goals are still being gifted to opponents.
Martinez was off the pitch by the time Pedro Neto netted a third goal at Molineux, with Varane the unfortunate victim of United’s overcommitment in the attack that left the backline exposed. There was little they could have done about the other two Wolves goals, either.
But the partnership of Martinez and Varane is still difficult to endorse due to their respective injury concerns. They have both missed a large part of the season through injuries, and the Argentine was replaced again in midweek as a precaution.
There is hope that Martinez can put his recent injury woes behind them, but the reoccurring nature of Varane’s cast doubt over his long-term suitability. For all of their huge achievements—after all, they are both World Cup winners—the best ability is availability, and that is something that neither of them have nailed down this season.
Ten Hag’s pursuit of consistency and momentum is being undermined by the regular changes at centre-back, and with a busy fixture schedule ahead, he needs that familiarity to stem from a settled defensive pairing.
Martinez is an integral part of the plans due to his passing ability and the different angles he opens up as a left-footer, but the plan for the summer is to sign a suitable partner for him who complements his style of play.
Varane just can’t be relied upon in the long run, and Harry Maguire, who has arguably been the best-performing defender at the club this season, still doesn’t seem to be the right fit for Ten Hag’s desired style of play.
It is telling that now nearly everyone is available; it is Varane who has been selected over Maguire, but the real test will be keeping the Frenchman fit, which is far easier said than done.
United’s defensive pairing is world-class, but only when they are actually fit.