Erik ten Hag needs Manchester United to embark on a winning run after pressure on his job momentarily eased with a 2-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday. Next up? Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. The narratives write themselves when United visit Istanbul this week, but it's a match they need to win.
A failure to do so would leave the Red Devils without a single win in their opening three Europa League outings - and with just one in 11 in European competition.
Ten Hag's erratic rotation has fuelled criticism further in recent weeks. He'd do well to avoid tweaking his latest winning formula after an encouraging performance at the weekend.
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Express Sport pinpoints four United players who aren't guaranteed to start against Mourinho's side on Thursday but must.
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans has unironically been one of Ten Hag's most dependable players since his surprise return last summer.
The 36-year-old didn't put a foot wrong again during Brentford's visit to Old Trafford, leaving little reason to exclude him from the team.
Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are United's current first-choice pairing, but Martinez may have to cover at left-back again if Noussair Mazraoui isn't ready to start.
Yet even if Mazraoui returns to the line-up, there is a serious argument to be made about Evans keeping his place alongside De Ligt.
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Casemiro
"Class is permanent," read a post on X from United's official account after Casemiro's performance against Brentford.
The 32-year-old's second half was especially impressive and offered optimism that he is finding his stride after a dismal 2023/24 campaign.
Casemiro sat in front of Ten Hag's back four and was also effective going forward. No player created more chances than his four.
Manuel Ugarte is waiting for more opportunities, but Casemiro should stay in the team as long as he maintains his form.
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Alejandro Garnacho
Ten Hag has faced a major dilemma on the right flank ahead of every match this season. Alejandro Garnacho or Amad?
Supporters have vented about Amad's sporadic starts, but the United boss has insisted that Garnacho deserves his prominent role.
There is some weight behind that belief, given the 20-year-old has scored five goals and registered three assists already this term.
Even when he's not clinical in front of goal, Garnacho is seldom not a handful for defences, and he has formed a strong connection with Marcus Rashford on the opposite wing.
Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund has taken Joshua Zirkzee's place as United's starting striker since returning from injury and with good reason.
The Danish No. 9 produced arguably his best performance since joining the club against Brentford, linking up the play and dragging Bees defenders all over the pitch.
He topped it off with a delightful finish after Bruno Fernandes' deft flick, his second goal of the campaign.
There will be many more where that came from if he maintains his starting berth.
