Possible separation, Erik ten Hag a controversial modification is planned

When Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag steps off the team bus at Molineux on Thursday evening, it is possible that a community of star-studded names will follow him. After Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Casemiro made their highly-anticipated returns to the starting XI in Sunday's 4-2 FA Cup fourth-round win over Newport County, more big-name stars could return in the Black Country. If all goes to plan, Ten Hag could have the luxury of naming the strongest United team of his tenure.

Amad Diallo sends a message that makes Manchester United and Ten Hag furious

"[It] could be, yes," Ten Hag said of the prospect. "Potentially, yes. Maybe for the first time as long as I was manager that we can pick a team from the squad that is probably the strongest, yes." If fit enough to be included, Marcus Rashford could return against Wolves after the club confirmed it had dealt with him in relation to last week's events in Belfast. Mason Mount could also be included, likewise Andre Onana after a failed Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon came to a premature conclusion.

The prospect of having a full-strength squad to choose from is not a luxury that Ten Hag has had available to him all that often during his United tenure thus far - if ever at all. It means, in some areas of his team, he could have some potentially difficult decisions to make, that in recent months have not been on offer. Following Casemiro's return against Newport, which amounted to 81 minutes, and Kobbie Mainoo getting on the scoresheet for the first time, Mount's quest to get back into Ten Hag's strongest XI, certainly initially, may not be so easy. The same could be said for Rashford on the left-wing.

One of the most difficult decisions that Ten Hag has got to make is who partners Martinez in the heart of the defence. The Argentine made his first start since September at Rodney Parade and produced an accomplished performance, bringing the ball-playing credentials to the back-four that United had been distinctly lacking during his period of absence. He was partnered at centre-back by Raphael Varane, who looks set to see out January as a United player, despite links with Bayern Munich and the Saudi Pro League at various junctures this month. He is now inside the final six months of his contract and he, as reported by media at the start of January, feels as though he is being pushed out of Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag makes the decision that could affect Marcus Rashford's career

A not very convincing decision

As a result, he has struggled for consistency and form. Plus, his fitness is not overly reliable. Maguire, aside from his recent groin injury, has remained injury-free for the most part of the season. His withdrawal against Bayern was a hammer-blow, derailing his run of good form. He now deserves the chance to find it again, even if it means Varane being dropped back to the bench and his hopes of rebuilding a partnership with Martinez are banished. Maguire, though the bar has been set low for much of this season, has been one of United's best players. A few weeks on the sidelines shouldn't result in that being forgotten.