What Manchester United's starting XI might look like if they get the injury boost they need most

After so much speculation about Erik ten Hag's future over the past week, you would now be brave to bet against him holding court at Carrington on Thursday.

The Manchester United manager is understood to have been granted by a stay of execution by the club's hierarchy and is expected to host Thursday's pre-match press conference, looking ahead to Saturday's visit of Brentford.

Although the season is still young, this weekend's clash with Bees is already important enough to be described as a must-win game. Failure to beat the Bees will only result in more pressure being loaded on Ten Hag's shoulders.

United have won just two of their opening seven Premier League matches this season, leaving them 14th in the table. It is a position nobody associated with the club is willing to accept.

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Ten Hag frequently rotated his squad prior to the international break, citing rotation as the reason behind virtually every alteration he made. But with the former Ajax boss now in desperate need of results, he might have to ease the level of tinkering.

However, he is once again working in an environment where injury and illness-related issues are stacking up. Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui were both forced off against Villa and will be unavailable for the next few weeks.

Fortunately, fellow defenders Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are progressing their with their comebacks. Shaw is expected to be the first member of that trio to return, whether it be this weekend or slightly further down the line.

Speaking earlier this month, Ten Hag said: "We hope Luke Shaw can