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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

'Why?' - Manchester United fans cannot believe Erik ten Hag selection decision vs Fulham

Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Fulham at Old Trafford this afternoon, making a handful of changes.

United, who have not faced the Cottagers in this competition since 2013, will be looking to build on Thursday night's 1-0 win over Real Betis and secure their place in the semi-finals of the competition and book a second Wembley visit of the season. Marcus Rashford scored the only goal of the game in Spain to seal a return to winning ways for the Reds.

It means that Ten Hag will be determined to see another encouraging performance and victory from his side, as they look to sign off for the international break with a spring in their step. The Dutchman, as expected, has opted to make a few changes to the side that won in Seville, making four in total.

READ MORE: United vs Fulham LIVE

Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Marcel Sabitzer and Jadon Sancho have come into the side, meaning Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, who is suspended, Fred and Facundo Pellistri have dropped out.

Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo and Antony have been named among the substitutes. However, Raphael Varane, who has picked up an injury, and Anthony Martial have not been included in the matchday squad.

Having made the decision to make four changes to the side that was victorious against Betis, Ten Hag will be hoping to see another win from his team, as they look to join neighbours Manchester City in the last-four. It is the exclusion of Pellistri from the starting line-up that has attracted the most attention from United's supporters in the immediate aftermath of the team news being confirmed.

Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what some of United's supporters have had to say in response to Ten Hag's decision to name the Uruguayan on the bench, just three days after he was awarded his first start for the club and impressed.

As you can see from the messages displayed in the tweets above, Ten Hag's decision to name Pellistri on the bench, despite Sancho taking his spot on the right-wing, has not gone down overly well with some supporters. They had hoped that the youngster was going to bag his first Old Trafford start after his impressive display in midweek.

United starting line-up: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, McTominay, Fernandes; Sancho, Weghorst, Rashford.

Substitutes: Butland, Dalot, Lindelof, Malacia, Mainoo, Fred, Pellistri, Elanga, Antony.

This afternoon's contest kicks-off at 4:30pm and you can follow all of the action on our live matchday blog, which you can access by clicking here.

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