Erik ten Hag must drop Man Utd trio vs Southampton including Marcus Rashford

Erik ten Hag is already facing pressure at Manchester United just three matches into the new Premier League season. The Dutchman must now ring the changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Southampton.

The Red Devils were poor in their 3-0 defeat by Liverpool a fortnight ago and Ten Hag might want to make up to three changes for the match. The first would see him bring back Luke Shaw, who is expected to return from a calf injury this weekend.

Shaw is unlikely to complete 90 minutes but his attacking qualities would be an improvement on the right-footed Diogo Dalot playing at left-back. United have lacked balance when using Dalot on the left of a back four, and the Portugal international struggled against Mohamed Salah.

Dalot would drop out of the team, with Noussair Mazraoui keeping his place at right-back. Ten Hag can also send a stern message to his under-performing stars by dropping Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.

Casemiro endured a horror show against Liverpool, giving away the ball for the Reds’ first two goals. His poor pass was intercepted by Ryan Gravenberch ahead of Diogo Jota’s opener, before the Brazilian was too easily dispossessed by Alexis Mac Allister for the forward’s second strike.

The former Real Madrid midfielder’s United career seems all but over. Had the Red Devils completed a move for Manuel Ugarte earlier in the window, there might have even been scope for them to sell Casemiro, with Saudi Arabian clubs reportedly interested.

Ugarte is likely to be ready to start against Southampton. He played for Uruguay in Venezuela on Tuesday night but is likely to have enough time to prepare for his debut. Ten Hag could opt for the £50million signing alongside Kobbie Mainoo.

For Rashford, a spell on the substitutes’ bench could be the key to unlocking his best form. The 26-year-old has struggled for consistency in the year since his 30-goal campaign in Ten Hag’s first season.

Alejandro Garnacho has impressed in the early weeks of the season and could be used on the left of the attack, his best position. That would allow Amad Diallo, another United star who has caught the eye, to continue on the right. The duo might be United’s best wide pairing.

United team to face Southampton: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Ugarte, Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee.