Erik ten Hag Commends two Man Utd Players for Adapting to New Positions Before Barnsley Game

The may be a chance for Antony – issued a stern warning by Ten Hagthis week – while Altay Bayindir, Harry Amass, Ethan Wheatley and the highly-rated Toby Collyer will also hope to be involved.

Ten Hag has indicated that veterans Jonny Evans and Casemiro could feature as well, albeit maybe not in their natural role.

“Yeah, if it’s necessary and you need someone to play in the position where you are not always playing,” Ten Hag says when asked about the prospect of playing a few players in rather unfamiliar spots.

“But Jonny Evans played before as a left full-back. Casemiro played before as a centre-half, so they know those positions.”

With Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui likely to be rested, and with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still injured, Ten Hag may have a choice between a 36-year-old Evans and teenager Amass – nearly two decades his junior – on the left-hand side.

Casemiro may also be fielded at centre-half, probably alongside Evans or Harry Maguire, after coming off the bench to play in the backline in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton. 

Much-maligned after that disastrous 45 minutes against Liverpool, the experienced Brazilian offered a timely reminder of his qualities with a fabulous through ball to spark Alejandro Garnacho’s third and final strike away from home at St Mary’s.

Casemiro and Jonny Evans could start 

“We have to construct a team and we have not been able to work on relationships and on patterns and routines so far, because players came late in. We did that pre-season with many players, so also we have to think about this,” Ten Hag adds, suggesting that there could still be a few familiar faces involved against Barnsley.

“For (Barnsley), the game of the year. They will be really focused and really energised to go into this game, and it’s up to us to make it our game. And yeah, we are really enjoying and looking forward to inviting them. 

“And (we want) to go into this game with full energy and motivation.”

Man United have only faced Barnsley once since the turn of the century. 

Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen scored in a 2-0 win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at Oakwell in the EFL Cup back in 2009.