Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the starting XI he picks to take on Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday will look entirely different to the one that lined up against Atletico Madrid.
The Dutchman suffered his first loss in charge of United on Saturday, with Joao Felix hammering home the winner late on shortly before Fred’s red card. With the exception of absentees Jadon Sancho and Luke Shaw, many believe the players who started in Norway will form his first-choice line-up.
That is if Cristiano Ronaldo is not at the club come the end of the window. The wantaway striker announced on social media late on Friday that he would be returning to action for United against Vallecano.
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The 37-year-old missed United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to family reasons but arrived at Carrington for the first time this week since the end of the season.
Speaking after his side's defeat to Atletico, Ten Hag detailed his starting XI plans for the Rayo Vallecano clash.
“The players who played today from the start, they will not come on tomorrow,” he told in-house media. “So tomorrow we will have a different starting XI. But there are players who came on who can start tomorrow.”
It means David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Fred, Scott McTominay, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford will not be involved.
Meanwhile, speaking about his Theatre of Dreams debut, Ten Hag added: “I think [it will be special]. After, I can tell you the feeling, but it would be great. I heard it was sold out, so it is fantastic.”
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