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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Samuel Luckhurst & Richard Fay & Tyrone Marshall & Steven Railston

How Manchester United should line up vs Chelsea without Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United are back in Premier League action this evening when they travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Erik ten Hag's side put in their best performance of the season so far in the midweek victory over Tottenham, though most of the post-match reaction has been about Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese forward has been fined two weeks' wages and told to train on his own, as well as being dropped from the United squad to face Chelsea this evening.

In terms of other team news, Anthony Martial will miss the match as he recovers from injury, while club captain Harry Maguire is also waiting to make his comeback.

READ MORE: Ten Hag explains why he has dropped Ronaldo

This is how MEN Sport writers think United should line up. Let us know what team you'd pick by using the selector below.

Tyrone Marshall

With Eriksen having had a few more days of training he should be fit enough to start at Stamford Bridge, but it's hard to make a case that United should change a team that played so well on Wednesday night.

There wasn't a poor performer against Tottenham and the aggression in the performance alone deserves an unchanged XI. Varane and Martinez are the best centre-back pairing and Dalot and Shaw were both outstanding against Spurs.

Casemiro has been excellent recently and is giving the rest of the midfield a little more freedom, including Fred, who really should have been man of the match on Wednesday.

Ronaldo might be unavailable now, but he would have had no chance of starting anyway. Antony, Sancho and Rashford are the front three.

Rich Fay

Why change a winning formula? United were sensational in their win against Spurs, and Ten Hag will have a real temptation to keep things exactly how they were, especially with Martial still out injured.

The centre-backs pick themselves, and Dalot is the only option at right-back. Shaw was great in midweek and deserves to keep his place ahead of Malacia.

Fred should be rewarded for his fantastic display, though that doesn't mean Eriksen has to start on the bench. Casemiro has to be playing regularly, meaning McTominay will have to watch on from the start.

Antony is gradually getting better on the right and has to keep playing. Rashford is far better on the left, but with a lack of alternatives, should start through the middle. Sancho will likely keep his place on the flank, but Eriksen would be a welcome change if Ten Hag wants to mix things up.

Samuel Luckhurst

It has to be the same side as midweek. The only player who would be slightly fortunate to start is Sancho, who was far too quiet again against Tottenham even if he did claim an assist (a routine lay-off for Fred).

But Sancho is preferable to Anthony Elanga and United have benefited from continuity under Ten Hag. They are devoid of two No.9s today and need a standout game-changer on the bench, so Eriksen could still have an impact.

Steven Railston

It was the best performance of Ten Hag's tenure against Tottenham and it would be foolish to change the starting lineup that impressed that night. Fred was outstanding and he certainly does not deserve to come out of the team for Eriksen.

Although Eriksen has become undroppable, he should start on the bench here and he will be a brilliant option to change the game, should Ten Hag need it. Ronaldo is obviously not in the squad and that means the front three picks itself.

It would not be a surprise to see Rashford score, as he was unlucky not to find the back of the net in midweek.

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