Ten Hag Faces Selection Dilemma Ahead of Crystal Palace Clash After Impressive Barnsley Win

 Following Manchester United's impressive 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, manager Erik ten Hag faces some tough selection decisions ahead of Saturday's match against Crystal Palace.

Ten Hag made significant changes to the lineup, with eight alterations from the team that defeated Southampton just three days earlier. Only Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, and Marcus Rashford retained their places in the starting eleven.

The decision to keep Eriksen and Rashford in the squad paid off, as both players scored two goals each. Rashford’s performance marked a resurgence, bringing his tally to three goals in the last two matches.

With the changes, Rashford was positioned as the central striker, supported by Antony on the right and Alejandro Garnacho on the left, who also found the net twice. Although Rashford has expressed a preference for the left-wing position throughout his career, he showcased his ability to adapt by excelling as a forward against lower league opposition.

His first goal against Barnsley was reminiscent of his peak form from two seasons ago when he netted 30 goals in a single campaign. 

Heading into the Crystal Palace match, Ten Hag faces a dilemma in attack, with Rashford's revival, Garnacho’s double, and Amad’s consistent performances all demanding consideration. Based on Tuesday’s game, it seems likely that Rashford and Garnacho will keep their spots, while Amad could also be a strong candidate for a starting position after his display against Southampton.

Adding to Ten Hag’s challenges is the impending return of Rasmus Hojlund from injury and Joshua Zirkzee's push for inclusion. While all three forwards—Rashford, Garnacho, and Amad—deserve starting roles, only three can play from the outset.

If Ten Hag opts for a three-pronged attack, he might consider using Rashford centrally again, with Amad on the right and Garnacho on the left. Although Rashford has traditionally favored playing on the left, he acknowledged last season that he is starting to enjoy playing through the middle.

In a discussion with Gary Neville on The Overlap, he stated, “I prefer the left. I feel like on the left, staying in the game is easier. I’ve always wanted to stay involved, which is why I sometimes struggle as a center forward, as it requires patience. You might not touch the ball for long stretches, and then your first touch is a scoring chance—you need to be mentally prepared.”

Ten Hag's upcoming selection for the match against Crystal Palace promises to be an intriguing one, with plenty of attacking options at his disposal.