Erik ten Hag is about to prove which Manchester United players he trusts the most

We are soon going to learn which players Erik ten Hag has the most confidence in during a week that might have a significant impact on Manchester United's performance this season. Their own shortcomings were made clear in a goalless draw with Newcastle at the weekend, even if much of the post-match narrative was directed at the referee, rather than admitting their own role in the dropped points.

Ten Hag's side were outplayed in the first half and were lucky to go in level after clear Newcastle dominance. There was a marked improvement after the break, but even on the rare occasions when they did create something, they were extremely wasteful in front of goal.

In a late effort to try and change the outcome of the match, Marcus Rashford was brought on to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, and in fairness to him, he made an immediate impact, though he missed the two key chances that fell his way.

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It was so nearly the second time in the space of four days that Ten Hag's changes altered the final score, though there was a reluctance to take more risks with Rashford the only one of five permitted substitutes used on the day.

Most of those named on the bench at the weekend never looked like coming on, and it was telling that - despite a poor performance in which they were short of ideas - the Dutchman only made one change rather than gamble on an unproven youngster to influence the game.

The absence of Anthony Martial, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay certainly limited the viable options for Ten Hag on the day, but after all the money they have spent, there is little sympathy for the manager if he complains about the lack of depth available to him,