In the week that Manchester United named three goalkeepers on the bench in a Champions League game to fill up their quota of 10 substitutes, Manchester City picked two ‘keepers but also left two spots vacant in their squad.
Both sides were affected by injuries but it was United’s bench in Munich that attracted the most attention that week.
Not only did it contain three goalkeepers, but also a 35-year-old defender and two outfielders yet to make their debuts for the club.
Critics could have glanced at that collection of 10 players, looked at City’s eight subs and said at least United were able to fill their bench.
But it would be missing the point.
Three times this season, Pep Guardiola could only name eight out of nine replaceable players in the Premier League, but that was the choice.
When Guardiola raised the ever-changing fixture schedule as a major issue a few weeks ago, he was asked whether it was necessary to increase the size of his squad, especially with the Club World Cup starting in 2025 The question is not over yet.
» he was asked and he shook his head.
“No, no, no,” he interjected.
“This is not sustainable for the club.
People say: ‘You have 18, 19, 20 players and there are six injured players, so you should have a longer squad’, but what happens then when you have no injuries and you have 25 players?
” he said.
“How do I manage and manage only 11 players who play and 14 people who don’t play for a long time?
I don’t want to be a manager.
I prefer this situation (with a smaller team) .
“
Guardiola isn’t the only one wanting to work with a smaller squad and while United have loads of options to strengthen their bench, that’s not really what Erik ten Hag is about desire.
The Dutchman and United’s football department staff are aware of the dangers of a bloated squad and the worrying nature of having big names on the bench every week.
Keeping everyone happy can be nearly impossible, and discontent can fester and spread, draining the team’s energy and mood.
It’s also easier to get messages across in training and build a clear philosophy and a unified squad if numbers are kept tight.
United took every slot in their 25-man Premier League squad, but City named just 21 players.
Injuries might be decimating Ten Hag’s options at the moment, but as Guardiola pointed out, it isn’t sustainable to plan for that.
If the treatment room clears and Jadon Sancho was to return to the squad, United would probably have 30 players in their first-team training group.
Even allowing for naming nine substitutes, that would mean 10 players who have been on the fringes, at the very least, this season would be out of a matchday squad.
With everyone fit and available, this is what Ten Hag’s squad would look like:
Goalkeepers:
Onana, Bayindir, Heaton
Defenders:
Lindelof, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia, Reguilon, Varane, Dalot, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Evans
Midfielders:
Amrabat, Mount, Fernandes, Eriksen, Casemiro, Van de Beek, McTominay, Mainoo, Hannibal
Attackers:
Pellistri, Martial, Rashford, Antony, Sancho, Garnacho, Hojlund, Amad
There are youngsters making up numbers there but all have been involved this season or in pre-season.
Hannibal has started to feature regularly and hopes are very high for Kobbie Mainoo, who would have played more often but for the injury he sustained against Real Madrid.
Facundo Pellistri has also started games on the right and when he returns to fitness Amad would expect to be involved as well.
This group of 30 does include two loaness, but United have the option to sign Sofyan Amrabat permanently and Ten Hag wants that to happen.
Sergio Reguilon is unlikely to stay.
Even taking into account the left-back’s return to Tottenham, Ten Hag would probably be happy if the number of departures in January and next summer is around five or six.
United could sell this number without signing anyone and could feel comfortable with the team’s situation.
Not counting those on loan, there are 6 players whose contracts will expire next summer, namely Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Hannibal and Anthony Martial.
Heaton and Evans, then 38 and 36 years old, could both leave.
Players like Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay could also be sold as they are set to leave this summer.
Martial is another United who may want to move on and Sancho is almost certain to leave.
With a team in top form – something Ten Hag needs to plan for – it should be fairly easy to get rid of a still bloated group.
Now, he’s finding a balance between recruiting the tea he wants and trying to get the numbers right.
We will soon have to focus on the latter.
