What is Erik ten Hag's best 11 at Man United? Team, lineup options for Red Devils manager amid injury crisis

Erik ten Hag needs to trigger a dramatic improvement at Manchester United through the autumn and winter of 2023/24.

The beginning of the new season has not gone to plan at Old Trafford, with United losing four of their opening eight Premier League games and defeated in two from two in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Ten Hag has come under a certain degree of pressure, although it's fair to say injuries have taken their toll on his squad as well as a number of off-field sagas, including those involving Mason Greenwood, Antony and Jadon Sancho.

The number of first-team absences prompted Ten Hag to claim that he has never managed to field what he considers his best side. Speaking ahead of the 4-3 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, the Dutchman said: "One thing is true: from the start of last season, I don't think I ever started with, in my opinion, the best starting XI. There was always injuries.

"We always got results apart from the period we are in now. I have experienced it in the past and managed it. You have to deal with it. I like these situations because you have to handle it and know what to do, and that is focusing on the process."

So, what exactly is Ten Hag's best possible lineup? The Sporting News delves into United's squad, his options for his best team, and the players currently ruled out.

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United will be missing several first-team players for their next match at Sheffield United on October 21. Factoring in those absences, Ten Hag's strongest lineup for the game at Bramall Lane might look something like this:

With everyone fully fit and available for selection, the team that Ten Hag would put out may look very different. This, we think,