Manchester United may be the only side in the world that can recruit two new midfielders during the summer transfer season and yet face a midfield dilemma in the first match after the market closes.
That was the case for the trip to Arsenal yesterday, with Mason Mount and Scott McTominay both injured, teenager Kobbie Mainoo still out, and Sofyan Amrabat failing to register in time.
Rather than a game-changing midfield selection, United stuck to last season’s formula, with Christian Eriksen partnering Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in his usual playmaker role.
The outcome was predictable: United provided a creative danger anytime they received the ball, but struggled defensively against the hosts’ barrage of attempts.
Last season, there was a recurring theme: whatever side had a recognized defensive midfielder won. Thomas Partey was punished for Arsenal’s loss at Old Trafford, and Casemiro was suspended for United’s loss at The Emirates earlier this year.
Arsenal’s defensive talisman was missing again on Sunday, despite the fact that they recruited effectively in the summer, with Declan Rice a superb addition who performed well again, while United’s replacement in Eriksen was a mixed bag.
After a summer in which two midfielders were signed, the Danish international needed a huge performance on his return to North London; we saw both the best and worst of him in a frenzied 30 seconds in which both teams found the back of the net.
Eriksen is the only midfielder of the three who could have provided the inch-perfect assist for Marcus Rashford to put United ahead, but he is the weakest out of possession and was left alone as Martin Odegaard drew his team level in the blink of an eye.
Ten Hag’s issue going ahead will be finding the right midfield balance, and who he chooses as his third guy alongside Fernandes and Casemiro will be crucial in that.
Mount’s case is strong in games like Sunday, considering his abilities as a pressing midfielder, whilst Amrabat has previously thrived as a player who can break up play as well as dictate it.
Eriksen still appears to be better suited to the Juan Mata role, as an effortless creator who can make the difference in crucial times but is perhaps a bit of a luxury over the course of a match.
That luxury was worthwhile against Arsenal because Eriksen’s positives outweighed his negatives, and without him on the field, they would have most likely missed the opportunity that led to their goal.
The true test of Ten Hag’s faith in him will come when there is competition for positions following the international break, and only then will we know the pecking order.
While it may be tempting to have a specialty midfielder to choose from depending on the competition, there is an equal justification for sticking with a favored three and making better use of the substitute bench.
Eriksen can serve as both a starter and a sub.
