Ten Hag's five Man Utd right-wing options amid Antony and Sancho issues
Erik ten Hag is facing a major selection headache when Brighton visit Old Trafford on Saturday.
It will only be Manchester United 's fifth game of the season, but Ten Hag is already facing issues on the right wing. The Dutchman has fallen out with Jadon Sancho, who is now set to leave United, while Antony has delayed his return amid off-field allegations.
That leaves Ten Hag with a decision to make as to who takes their place, with the duo having been United's front-line right-wingers in the first four games of the campaign. Here, Mirror Football looks at the candidates to take on the role against Brighton.
Facundo Pellistri
One of the two natural replacements for Antony and Sancho in the squad is Facundo Pellistri. He has only made two substitute appearances so far this season, but Ten Hag is a fan of the winger.
Pellistri also started for Uruguay in their comfortable win over Chile on Saturday, with Marcelo Bielsa making him a key player. The 21-year-old has struggled for chances since joining United, but this could be his chance to stake a claim for a regular role.
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Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is one of two natural wingers in Ten Hag's squad (Visionhaus/Getty Images)Mainly a left winger, Alejandro Garnacho does have the ability to play on the right. He started United's first two games of the season and saw a goal ruled out after coming off the bench against Arsenal.
Garnacho made a number of key contributions last season, marking him out as a player who can handle the pressure of starting for United. He has a vocal backer in former United skipper Antonio Valencia, who has called on Ten Hag to play the 19-year-old.
Valencia said: “Garnacho has raised his level. He gets better every day. I like him, and the fans want to see him play. Let’s hope he’s back at that level soon and can play some incredible games because we need him."
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes' versatility could help Erik ten Hag (Getty Images)A more unconventional option for the right-wing spot could be captain Bruno Fernandes. He has solely appeared in attacking midfield this season but played a number of games on the wing last term.
He scored three goals and notched four assists in seven appearances when playing on the right last term. And boss Ten Hag has already hinted he will look to capitalise on Fernandes' versatility.
"He can play several roles, from that perceptive, you need players like Bruno to be successful. From the side he’s a very good presser, he understands the moment when to close down, when to put an opponent into trouble," he said in April.
"He knows when to track back and close passing lines, close opponents, even if our press gets beat he tracks back, he can play in between lines and then get behind lines. He has so many skills it’s a pleasure to work with players like him."
Shola Shoretire
Shola Shoretire has impressed for United's reserve side this season (Ash Donelon/Getty Images)Shola Shoretire sprung to the public mind back in February 2021 when he became United's youngest-ever player in European competition against Real Sociedad. The 19-year-old is capable of playing across the forward line and he could be a wildcard option.
Shoretire has started the season in fine form, notching three assists in Premier League 2. He enjoyed a successful loan at Bolton last season, earning high praise from Trotters boss Ian Evatt.
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“He is an exceptional talent, I can’t sit here and say otherwise. He is a really talented boy, one of the most talented players that I have coached so far, and I can see that already. He can play nine, seven, 11, 10 – good football players can," Evatt said.
"But what I like about him the most is how intelligent he is at picking up space, and his awareness of when he is in space. He knows when he needs to lay off, he knows when he needs to turn or pass. He is just a really intelligent footballer."
Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial could be shifted to the right wing if he loses his starting spot up-front (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)With Rasmus Hojlund now fit, Anthony Martial is likely to lose his starting spot up-front. That could open the door to the Frenchman being shifted to the right-wing temporarily once Ten Hag's selection crisis is relieved.
Martial has shown glimpses that he can deliver better performances from a position out wide. It would certainly be a gamble from Ten Hag, given he has more natural players at his disposal.
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