Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has a decision to make heading into the FA Cup final.
Cup finals can come down to fine margins, and selection decisions can make or break the results.
David Beckham recently retold the story of how he was picked in central midfield in the 1999 Champions League final, due to a lack of options after suspensions to Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. Sir Alex Ferguson felt he had little choice, even though the rest of the players were not convinced it would work.
This seasonErik ten Hag has been struggling for options, barely able to get a team together. He has not had the luxury of choice. All of that is set to change this weekend.
Erik ten Hag tactical dilemma
Erik ten Hag has created a tactical dilemma. In his attempt to rest Rasmus Hojlund ahead of the FA Cup final, an intriguing option has emerged.
Ten Hag has picked his team without a striker. Manchester United have scored five times in two matchesand won both.
Hojlund has come off the bench both times and scored. This was the role he should have been used in all season, as an impact substitute.
Now after two successive wins, does Ten Hag stick with the same system, which would provide the team extra strength in midfield against City, or twist, to go back to his more traditional methods?
It is something the Dutchman’s coaching staff will be mulling over. Has he stumbled into a winning system?
Bayer Leverkusen result serves as warning
If Ten Hag was leaning towards the ‘no striker’ option, he might have been given reason to pause.
Amid the pressure of finals, you can sometimes overthink it.
Look at Xabi Alonso last night. His Bayer Leverkusen side had remarkably gone unbeaten all season long, heading into the Europa League final.
Alonso selected his team without a striker, leaving 19-goal Victor Boniface and 12-goal Patrik Schick on the bench.
Leverkusen were defeated 3-0, outthought and outplayed by a clever and relentless Atalanta side, with United fans pointing out Jeremie Frimpong’s flaws.
Perhaps, there was nothing Alonso could have done, whoever he picked. But he will also have a doubt in his mind.
Erik ten Hag might have regrets too, if he leaves his £64 million striker, his only fully fit striker, on the bench against Manchester City.
United lined up without a striker against City in March, due to a Hojlund injury. It didn’t end well.
Leverkusen’s defeat last night might have served as another warning not to fall into the same trap.