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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy & Liam Wood

'Go get them' - Manchester United fans rave about Hannibal Mejbri decision vs Crystal Palace

Manchester United supporters are excited after Ralf Rangnick named Hannibal Mejbri in his final day starting XI for the Premier League contest against Crystal Palace this afternoon (4pm). Cristiano Ronaldo is a notable absentee as Rangnick opts to make four changes before handing over control to Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo has been a rare shining light for United this season - and has scored 24 goals in all competitions. However, his absence was expected after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner missed training sessions in the build-up when a hip flexor injury flared up.

Luke Shaw and Jadon Sancho are side-lined and there is no room in the squad for Dean Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba (calf), either, as he prepares to leave United on a free transfer for the second time. Academy forward Alejandro Garnacho was expected to miss out through illness, but Rangnick can call upon him as part of a youthful substitutes bench.

READ MORE: Manchester United have four doubts for the Premier League game vs Crystal Palace

Aside from Hannibal, captain Harry Maguire and Fred are among the others to come in as Rangnick shuffles his pack with four alterations from the embarrassing defeat against Brighton in the club's last fixture 15 days ago.

Naturally, there was always going to be focus on which player was chosen to step in for Ronaldo and lead the line, with that honour going to Edinson Cavani. He will be flanked by Anthony Elanga and Hannibal in attacking quarters, with Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes also there for support.

Hannibal on his full Premier League debut, meanwhile, is sure to catch the eye after playing a key role for the U23s in their FA Youth Cup success this season. Here are a selection of comments from United supporters - as taken from popular social media platform Twitter;

Starting XI: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Elanga, Fernandes, Hannibal, Cavani.

On the bench: Heaton, Bailly, Jones, Varane, Fernandez, Savage, Mata, Shoretire, Garnacho.

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