Erik ten Hag's side return to Old Trafford this time in the third round of the Carabao Cup as they take on Barnsley.
Not the most glamorous of games especially during Champions League week but one that means as much as any European night simply because of the situation United find themselves in.
After what was a pretty convincing win at Southampton in the end, the expectation will be to go and do the same. However, ten Hag is still on thin ice as one defeat (especially against this opponent) and all the vultures will begin to circle once again.
Avoid defeat at all costs!
Predicted Lineup
Erik ten Hag provided a positive update in his presser yesterday in which he confirmed all of Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs De Ligt are all available for tonight. They were the three major concerns heading into this game.
However, I don't think any of them will play at all, or hopefully we don't need them to.
The entire back line is changed other than Diogo Dalot who much like Bruno Fernandes, is a bit of a machine. With Mazraoui picking up something at Southampton, I feel there's no need to risk him even if he is ready to play.
The Portuguese right-back is the only remaining member of Saturday's defence.
This means that we should see a second game for Altay Bayindir in a United shirt after joining the club last season. It's pretty criminal that he hasn't had more game time even more so considering Andre Onana's average performances.
Jonny Evans comes in for Martinez while Casemiro partners the Northern Irishmen. Harry Maguire was another who looked to be carrying a knock and wasn't a player that the manager mentioned in his presser. If the centre-back is available, I would imagine he would play.
If not, then it will be the Brazilian as we have no other CB. At least with Casemiro in the lineup, it would make this game a little more even as Barnsley will have 12 players.
Harry Amass is the other player to come in. He is an academy product that has huge potential to be something great at this club. This is a perfect game for him.
A first start for Manuel Ugarte as he holds down the midfield. He is partnered with youngster Toby Collyer whom we all know has a lot of potential as well.
As mentioned, the other Portuguese player and captain Bruno Fernandes will start. He probably should be rested but I feel like we don't have a replacement at number 10. Mason Mount is still injured and while Christian Eriksen is available, I doubt that he can play two games in such quick succession after starting and playing 70 minutes on Saturday.
Alejandro Garnacho comes in to make just his second start of the season and on the right, another player who needs the minutes and one who needs to showcase why he should be at the club, Antony.
Josh Zirkzee keeps his place up top although I wouldn't be surprised if the manager went with Marcus Rashford as striker or Ethan Wheatly.
With all that being said though, it is very difficult to predict our manager. I could see him making several changes but I also wouldn't be surprised if he went pretty strong. We know he can do this as well.
United's Approach
This should be all out domination. I see no reason as to why our team, regardless of the lineup, shouldn't be all over Barnsley. We have more than enough quality in the squad as well as multiple players who need to prove their worth which would give them an added motivation to go and rip it up.
This game is also at Old Trafford which gives us more of an advantage.
What United did well at Southampton was game management, except for the first 30 minutes.
After Onana's penalty save, for an hour, MUFC went on to control the match in a way that we haven't seen too often. We kept possession well, used the ball well, recovered it quite quickly and sometimes high up the pitch, created chances and scored some goals while not letting Southampton have a sniff. This is a perfect example of how to control a game. That is something we need to do again.
The defensive line should be relatively high, the full-backs should be making overlapping runs, and the high press has to be in play once again.
Erik ten Hag's side have also been very good at reducing the number of chances the opposition have while creating several of their own. This is a stark improvement to last season and an indication that the Dutchman's side are progressing, even if the progress is slow and not so clear.
The only big issue he has at the moment is scoring. In the league, MUFC have missed 12 big chances, the most of any side. Against Southampton, Zirkzee missed two great opportunities to increase the scoring. This is where we need to be ruthless and kill any hopes the opposition has.
This match provides an opportunity for United to do just that. I do expect us to create some good openings but this time, take them. Scoring a few goals will increase the confidence and improve the mood of all.
We shouldn't have much defending to do, if at all. If we do...
Barnsley
I don't know much about Barnsley. The only things I know is that they are 7th in League One and lost their recent game 3-0 to Stevenage.
I suppose that they are one of these old-school, traditional English sides from back in the day, at least that's how I see them.
What I will say about Barnsley is that they have nothing to lose. Nobody is expecting them to get a result, all the onus is on us. United are also not a side that likes it uncomfortable and can falter when the going gets tough.
Darrell Clarke will try to use this and try to get his team at us in the opening minutes. Put some pressure on MUFC and try to make them feel as uncomfortable as possible.
This is the only way I see them getting a win. It isn't out of the realms of possibility as we have been dumped out of the cups by lower-league oppositions over the years.
Prediction
I'm going for a comprehensive 3-0 victory. With this being a game for United where they can put the hammer down, I think we'd all like to see some goals.
I doubt we're like to get any upset (although one should never rule that out with this United side) so I don't believe there's any risks in this match.
I want to see us go all out and put a few past an opponent. That will increase the confidence even further and gives us an increased belief that we can go to Palace and get a positive result.
Background Image of player: Antony in Man Utd training | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)