Five burning questions facing Ten Hag at Man Utd

Manchester United's limp defeat at Tottenham has turned up the pressure on Erik ten Hag.

Following an encouraging first campaign under the Dutchman's watch, expectations have risen significantly at Old Trafford — but early signs this term have been worrying to say the least.

Ahead of a Saturday home clash with Nottingham Forest that United can scarcely afford to slip up in, we consider five questions Ten Hag must find the answers to quickly.

Is Bruno Fernandes the right choice as captain?

Bruno Fernandes has shouldered plenty of his side's attacking responsibility in recent seasons and Ten Hag wasted little time making the Portuguese creator his skipper.

Though nobody can dispute the 28-year-old midfielder's 77 direct goal involvements (44 goals, 33 assists) in 126 Premier League matches, questions remain over his temperament.

Fernandes has been booked 33 times since joining the Red Devils and his recent post-match rant aimed at referees chief Jon Moss sparked debate about his suitability as a captain.

Pundit and former pro Chris Sutton said: "Fernandes for me shouldn't be captain of Manchester United, absolutely not. He's not a leader. That basically sums him up."

What is Marcus Rashford's best position?

One of the highlights of last season at Old Trafford was Marcus Rashford's return to peak goalscoring form.

The England star ran riot from a wide berth, netting 30 goals across all competitions including 10 strikes in as many Premier League outings just after Christmas.

That prolific showing has led Ten Hag to revert the 25-year-old to a centre forward role this term, though it has not yet been a successful experiment.

Rashford, who has previously confessed his preference for the left wing, may soon find himself back there.

Can United's midfield carry out Ten Hag's philosophy?

When United chiefs hired Ten Hag, it was largely due to the impressive style of football he had implemented during four-and-a-half seasons at Ajax.

Quick passing and intense pressing were hallmarks of his time in Amsterdam but the Red Devils have looked lethargic in central areas against Wolves and Spurs.

On the sluggish Casemiro, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said: "He has made a really poor start. I would be really worried about him going forward and the make-up of this Manchester United midfield."

Should Antony be dropped?

It is 12 months since Ten Hag broke the bank to bring his old Ajax ace Antony to Old Trafford — and the jury remains out on the Brazilian.

Signed for a fee north of £80million, a return of four goals and two assists in 25 Premier League appearances was incredibly underwhelming.

At 23, it is too early to write the tricky winger off entirely. Even the great Cristiano Ronaldo needed time to adjust to life with the Red Devils.

But taking the misfiring forward out of the starting XI for a brief period may be a shrewd option.

Does Harry Maguire need to go?

Harry Maguire's Manchester United career is surely over. 

Stripped of the club captaincy and told by Ten Hag that future opportunities will be limited, the England defender did not even make the bench against Tottenham.

But a move away has yet to materialise with Maguire reportedly preferring to fight for his place than seek an exit. 

However, if Ten Hag truly has made his mind up on the 30-year-old, he should cut ties quickly — keeping a former skipper rotting in the reserves helps nobody.

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