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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has opened up on his decision to start Cristiano Ronaldo for tonight’s clash with Sheriff. The Portugal internaitonal has returned to the Dutchman’s starting XI after missing the club’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday night. And he’ll be hoping to net this evening as the Red Devils look to boost their chances of topping their Europa League group.
Manchester United have gone strong for tonight’s clash against Sheriff, with Ten Hag calling on the big guns to get the job done.
David De Gea starts in goal, with the Spain international yet to miss a single game so far this season.
Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia have been deployed at right-back and left-back respectively, with Victor Lindelof partnering Lisandro Martinez in the head of their defence.
In midfield, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes all keep their spots in the team.
And, up top, Ronaldo has got the nod ahead of Marcus Rashford with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony out on the wings.
For Ronaldo, it represents a chance to add to his goal tally of two this term – while also giving him an opportunity to make amends following his recent strop against Tottenham.
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Ten Hag’s comments come roughly 24 hours after he’d shed light on Ronaldo’s return.
“Yes, Cristiano will be in the squad on Thursday,” the 52-year-old said at his press conference prior to the game.
“I think we said everything and answered all the questions. He was out for one game and now he is back in the squad as usual.
“It’s done. He’s back. Let’s focus on the game.”
And, also at his press conference, Ten Hag confirmed Raphael Varane would be out until the World Cup after picking up an injury against Chelsea last time out.
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“Raphael Varane isn’t in the squad,” he stated.
“He will be out, certainly, until the World Cup.
“He will not play in this block for Manchester United. I think he can play in the World Cup, but we have to see how it develops and how his rehab develops.”
Ten Hag feels United are developing well under his guidance, while also insisting the Red Devils must keep their focus in order to ensure they stay on the right track.
“Definitely. But going from one step to the other, the first thing we have to do is win the next game,” he said when asked if it was their aim to top the group.
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“That is tomorrow so focus 100 per cent on this and don’t look too far ahead because then you lose focus. Focus on one thing – win the next game.
“It’s [only] four games and Europe is obviously different. But I like Europe. I like the European mindset, especially in the last game against Omonia when there was a great atmosphere in the stadium and then at the end when we scored the winner, it was really good to celebrate that, the players with the fans, and I hope we have that as well tomorrow.
“The games in Europe, we all use them to get better, to improve and that is what we have to do.
“We are not satisfied, we are happy with some of our performances, some of our results, but after 24 hours, we keep going and we come to the next one.
“We have to approach every game and see also in this moment where we are in the season.”
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