Champions League: Changes in line-up may not save Man Utd against Bayern

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will be looking for some form of inspiration in the Champions League opening match against Bayern Munich this week with wholesale changes needed from the team that lost to Brighton.

With Antony taking a period of absence due to the abuse allegations against him and Jadon Sancho exiled from the squad as punishment for his outburst on social media, Ten Hag opted to change his system for the match against Brighton.

Four midfielders were used with Casemiro joined by Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen while Bruno Fernandes played

an unorthodox role out wide. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was too ill to start, with Sergio Reguilon making his debut on the left flank.

There was a boost in central defence as Lisandro Martinez made his return from injury. However, United were all at sea in defence with Wan-Bissaka's presence on the right side hugely missed.

Reguilon struggled on his United debut also up against Simon Adingra and the change in formation in midfield failed to work either. Fernandes will want to be back in a more central attacking role for United's trip to Bayern, where he's far more productive.

The experiment of playing with three more central midfielders may also have to be abandoned with either Eriksen or McTominay making way. That would open up a spot in attack for either Alejandro Garnacho or Facundo Pellistri to start.

The two young wingers can offer something different down United's right flank and are more suited to that role than Fernandes. Changes will need to be made in defence as well with Ten Hag hopeful Wan-Bissaka will be fit enough to return to the starting line-up.