Manchester United could see another surprise player emerge

Seven years ago, Jose Mourinho predicted a "surprise behind the door" in the Manchester United squad. Behind the door was Phil Jones.

Mourinho was referring to a player's sudden emergence and Jones's return was Lazarus-like. He had not played since January 2 and was suddenly parachuted into the team at Swansea in mid-November. It was the first of 12 starts for Jones in a 13-match unbeaten Premier League streak.

Scott McTominay's prominence during Mourinho's second season was a 'surprise' and so was Anthony Elanga under the interim charge of Ralf Rangnick. Alejandro Garnacho was an overnight sensation. You would have struggled for odds on Odion Ighalo or Wout Weghorst signing for United in the Januarys of 2020 and 2023.

The mid-season managerial choices of Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were leftfield. The same year Mourinho was appointed, United had Wayne Rooney injured, Ashley Fletcher and James Wilson out on loan, Will Keane tore a groin muscle and Anthony Martial withdrew from a warm-up. That paved the way for the 18-year-old Marcus Rashford.

Also read: United still exploring midfield targets in deadline week

United could do with finding someone else lurking behind the door. The bench against Nottingham Forest was shallow and callow, with Dan Gore promoted and Alvaro Fernandez back in the matchday squad for the first time since May 2022.

United have hitherto failed to strengthen the squad depth. Jonny Evans, 35 and absent for 27 of Leicester City's matches last term, barely bolsters the first-team central defence.

Watching Mason Mount in his ineffectual starts, United are actually down a central midfielder with Fred gone. They have four left-backs on the books but Erik ten Hag wants a specialist addition, hardly