Cristiano Ronaldo is in the starting lineup in Manchester United’s second league game under Erik ten Hag. Visiting Brentford, the Portuguese superstar takes over his familiar spot at the point of attack from Christian Eriksen, who slides back into midfield against his former employer. Lisandro Martínez retains preference over Raphaël Varane, who returns from injury on the bench. The match starts at 6:30 PM.
Manchester United opened the season in the Premier League last week very disappointing with a 1-2 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion. Ten Hag intervenes and takes Scott McTominay out of his starting line-up. Eriksen moves back into midfield, where Fred will have to guard the balance. Bruno Fernandes is the other offensive pawn in that line. For the rest, Ten Hag does not change his starting position. So Donny van de Beek and Tyrell Malacia start again on the couch.
The entire past week there has been a lack of clarity about whether or not Ronaldo will play. “He had a good week of training,” Ten Hag said at the press conference on Friday. “He has played two half matches and whether he is in the starting lineup on Saturday, we will see. That will be my decision and I will keep it to myself.” So Ronaldo is playing, with Marcus Rashford, among others, in support from the left wing.
Ten Hag considers Rashford to be a very important pawn within his selection, the coach emphasized once again on Friday. “From the first day I’ve been here, I’ve been very happy with him and I don’t want to lose him,” said Ten Hag, who responded to the alleged interest of Paris Saint-Germain. “He is definitely one of our plans at Manchester United.”
Manchester United line-up: DeGea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Fred, Fernandes, Eriksen; Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford.