Erik ten Hag has opted to be bold by leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire out of Manchester United 's starting XI.
The Red Devils have lost both their games thus far and are in need of a response against arch rivals Liverpool. The drubbing at the hands of Brentford last weekend exposed the team's flaws and saw the players come in for huge criticism with changes being demanded.
Roy Keane and Gary Neville both urged the new United boss to stamp his authority after such a defeat last time out. Ronaldo, the team's talisman, has spoken about wanting to leave whilst Maguire has long kept his starting role and was backed as captain by Ten Hag.
The Dutchman though has chosen to axe both players as he looks for his first win as manager at Old Trafford. Keane said on Sky Sports before the teams were announced: "He’s got to do something, he’s got to make the changes. We talk about the way they’re playing and the systems, this team needs some sort of personality and character that they can bounce back from these disappointments. But we seen over the last year or two they don’t have it in them.
"I can see why you leave Maguire out, defensively they’ve been all over the place, he’s not been great and you have to make changes – that’s the manager’s job. I feel Ronaldo, he’s missed pre-season, we don’t know what’s went on in the background, you almost feel there’s a chance when he’s on the football pitch. So I’d be reluctant to change Ronaldo but Maguire I think there will be no surprise with that one."
Maguire has been linked with a surprise move away with Chelsea reportedly keen. The arrival of Lisandro Martinez also puts more pressure on the England defender, who Neville claimed may struggle against the dynamic Liverpool forward line.
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He claimed: "I think Ronaldo and Maguire are the big ones. Ronaldo, Martial there’s talk of him being fit, does he bring him back in. At the back Maguire, Liverpool are very mobile does he go for Martinez and Varane who are more agile in that sense but it does think like Maguire isn’t playing because of the speculation because it is a big move as he is captain."
Martinez and Raphael Varane will play at the heart of United's defence with Marcus Rashford leading the line alongside Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga. Christian Eriksen retains his place in the middle of the defence.
United were mauled by Liverpool on their own patch last term as Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 win. The Reds put nine past their opponents across the two games last term and are eyeing their third straight win at Old Trafford. Jurgen Klopp is yet to see his team win this term but the Merseysiders are heavy favourites.
