Manchester United are set to unleash a deadly new attack when they take on La Liga side Cadiz tonight.
Erik ten Hag has taken a youthful United side on the club’s mid-season tour of Spain, with a number of first-teamers away on international duty in Qatar.
The Old Trafford club had 16 players travel to the World Cup, including England’s Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire as well as Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes.
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United have travelled out to Spain with a pool of 29 players to participate in two friendlies - the first against Cadiz this evening and the second versus Real Betis on Saturday, just hours after England are due to lock horns with France in the World Cup quarter-final.
Ten Hag is likely to try out an experimental XI for the pair of friendlies.
Indeed, with a healthy contingent of forwards available for the upcoming fixtures in Spain, the United boss has the potential of unleashing an exuberant and deadly new attack.
Man Utd’s deadly new attack
Among the forwards that have travelled to Spain are youngsters Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire, Charlie McNeill, Joe Hugill, Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho.
Of course, the key name that sticks out is Martial, the most senior member of the group. The 27-year-old will be hoping to prove his fitness for Man Utd, having played just seven times this term because of a series of injuries.
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Despite the limited game time, however, Martial has registered an impressive four goals and provided a further two assists for his teammates.
Flanked by Elanga and Garnocho, United could launch a three-pronged attack likely to cause problems for Cadiz.
Garnacho was the talk of Manchester before the World Cup break. After scoring in the 1-0 Europa League victory over Real Sociedad, the Argentinian then came off the bench to inspire a second-half comeback over Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.
Just four days later the 18-year-old came off the bench once more against Fulham in the Premier League, to score a brilliant last-gasp goal in a crucial 2-1 win against the Cottagers. His performances naturally saw him earn the club’s player of the month award.
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On the opposing flank, Elanga has the opportunity to stake his claim, with the young Swede having fallen behind Antony, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford in the pecking order.
The explosive 20-year-old was handed his first-team debut under interim boss Ralf Rangnick and starred as part of United’s forward line last season.
However, he has started just six games under ten Hag, and is without all goal since February.
As part of ten Hag’s experimental new attack, the Sweden international will be hoping to play his way into form before the restart of the Premier League season later this month.
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Football, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Martial, Alejandro Garnacho