Four Manchester United players must prove they should be in Erik ten Hag's long-term plans

If Manchester United are to continue their challenge for major trophies under Erik ten Hag then it is crucial they avoid becoming predictable via an over-reliance on one or two players.

Ten Hag ended United's six-year trophy drought at the first time of asking last month, a 2-0 win against Newcastle at Wembley handing them the Carabao Cup. Casemiro opened the scoring that day when powering home Luke Shaw's irresistible free-kick before Marcus Rashford fired a second in off Sven Botman's outstretched leg.

It felt fitting that United's season highlight to this point came predominantly down their left and from two of their outstanding performers in Shaw and Rashford. Both have endured their fair share of struggles in red over the years but the arrival of Ten Hag has seen them rejuvenated - an ever-present partnership dominating the left flank.

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It's a stark contrast from what is occurring on the opposite side, with neither Antony nor Jadon Sancho nailed on at right-wing while Ten Hag still seems unsure on when and where to back Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.

The squad dynamic down the left is a perfect one: two senior stars in Rashford and Shaw enjoying their best form in years while young support acts - Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia - lie in want and impact games when called upon. The hierarchy is clear and it is working.

The situation on the opposite flank could not be further away from that, with four players fighting for two places and no-one standing out.

Antony was expected to be United's clear first-choice down the right by now, having signed from Ajax for £86million last summer and making an instant impression with a wonderful goal on