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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Cristiano Ronaldo back as Manchester United fans name five changes for Brentford game

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick is being urged to make five changes for Manchester United on Wednesday night.

During the second part of their double-header with Aston Villa, the Old Trafford giants saw a two-goal lead slip as the Midlands side hit back through Jacob Ramsey and marquee January loan signing Philippe Coutinho.

That late drama unfolded after Bruno Fernandes had scored twice at Villa Park.

Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay served one-match bans during that game and come back into contention for the rearranged midweek Brentford fixture (8pm).

United have also been handed a boost on the injury front as Cristiano Ronaldo gets ready for his return.

Here is the line-up that Manchester Evening News readers are calling for at the newly-built Community Stadium;

Goalkeeper - David de Gea

Perhaps the easiest decision Rangnick has to make right now. Dean Henderson is an outstanding goalkeeper in his own right and, last campaign, managed to displace the long-serving Spaniard. Put simply, though, David de Gea has since put himself in an un-droppable position and has been a rare shining light this season.

Defenders - Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw

Alex Telles stepped in for Shaw against the Villans as the latter served a one-match ban with McTominay.

You might expect the England international to return in west London, though, as supporters make that particular prediction with their preferred line-up.

Diogo Dalot should continue at right-back amid his ongoing battle with Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Despite welcoming Harry Maguire back from injury, United opted for Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof last time out, but the £80million captain is tipped to replace the Sweden international here.

Midfielders - Donny van de Beek, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes

Restricted to just 68 minutes in the Premier League this season, Donny van de Beek has been short-changed during his time as a United player, but will finally be handed a start on Wednesday night?

Nemanja Matic was preferred to him in a double pivot at Villa Park.

Those two have McTominay to contend with, once again, while Fernandes signalled that he may be about to return to his best form with a double on Saturday afternoon - before United were pegged back.

McTominay, van de Beek and Fernandes would be the perfect trio here, according to our readers.

Forwards - Mason Greenwood, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Elanga

Following a setback, Ronaldo is back from his minor issue and will almost certainly start against Brentford.

Having scored 14 goals in 21 appearances since re-signing for the club this summer, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has lived up to his part of the bargain as Edinson Cavani prepares to make way for him.

Aside from Ronaldo, academy graduate Mason Greenwood has been next best in attacking quarters.

In a revamped 4-3-3 formation, that leaves one more wide space to occupy and, after being handed a surprise start against Villa, fans want to see Elanga continue ahead of struggling duo Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

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