Erik ten Hag could field strongest Manchester United attack for the first time vs Sheffield United

Erik ten Hag could point to several factors influencing Manchester United's dismal start to the season and key absences would be high on the list.

Up until the 93rd minute against Brentford on Saturday, United were on course to extend a run to seven defeats in 11 matches across all competitions. It was only Scott McTominay's quickfire added time brace that gave Ten Hag a vital three points and alleviated the pressure going into the international break.

The reliance on McTominay to net the vital goals is somewhat telling, with United against struggling in front of goal. In the Premier League this season, five teams have at least double their meagre total of nine in eight games.

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There are several potential explanations for that issue, with key performers from last season not playing as well. But with United now two months into the season, it cannot help that Ten Hag hasn't yet been able to start his strongest front three together.

Rasmus Hojlund was United's marquee signing of the summer, arriving in a £72million deal from Atalanta. But the 20-year-old's medical assessment found a stress fracture in his back and he was ruled out for the first month of the season.

He arrived off the bench for a much-anticipated debut in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal in September. Having come on in the 67th minute, he got a grand total of 17 minutes alongside Antony and Rashford before the former was substituted. And during the international break that followed, the Brazilian took a leave of absence to address allegations of abuse against him, which he strongly denies.

Antony returned against