Erik ten Hag is set to recall Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United's starting lineup following his omission from the team that was humiliated by Manchester City at the weekend.
The Portuguese striker, 37, was left on the bench for the entirety of United's embarrassing showing at the Etihad on Sunday, which saw them trailing four-nil at half-time. Ten Hag insisted after the match he did not use Ronaldo purely "out of respect for his career" as five other substitutes were thrown on to try and salvage some pride in the 6-3 defeat.
United's manager has since admitted Ronaldo is "p***** off" when he is not playing but the Dutchman is now poised to hand the five-time Ballon d'Or winner a chance to stake his claim for a regular starting berth against Cypriot outfit Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ronaldo is expected to lead the line in attack as one of six changes from the side which started against City. Anthony Martial was the man preferred off the bench to Ronaldo during that clash and justified his manager's decision with two late goals to reduce the deficit.
Martial's performance has seemingly done enough to warrant him a place in the XI for Thursday, but he looks likely to start in a less favourable role on the left of a three-man support act behind Ronaldo, who gets the nod ahead of him in the central striker position.
Making up the three are new signing Antony on the right flank with Bruno Fernandes keeping his place in the No.10 role. Antony came in for criticism in the wake of the City defeat, despite scoring a screamer to make it 4-1 and give United a glimmer of hope.
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Action Images via Reuters)The Brazilian winger was accused by various pundits - including United legend Paul Scholes - of failing to track back and support right-back Diogo Dalot, who was given a torrid afternoon by City's stars including Jack Grealish. The fixture with Omonia is likely to cause Dalot less problems while a two-man midfield pivot will also offer greater protection if Antony is again lacking in his defensive contribution.
Casemiro looks in line to be handed only his second start in what will be his seventh United appearance having so far been drip-fed into action by Ten Hag. The five-time Champions League winner was among the subs against City, but Ten Hag insisted his omission was nothing to do with his contribution since his £60million transfer.
Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday, Ten Hag said: "We will play tomorrow our best team, we have to construct a team because we want a competitive culture. It had nothing to do with Casemiro, it had all to do with Scott [McTominay].
"When he [McTominay] wasn't in the team at Brentford, we lost. Casemiro will have an important role, we know his background, the titles he's won, you see every day in training."
McTominay has formed a solid partnership with Christian Eriksen in recent weeks but the pair were overrun by City's midfield and Ten Hag is now ready to give Casemiro a chance alongside compatriot and international teammate Fred in the middle of the park.
In defence, Raphael Varane has been ruled out of action after hobbling off injured on Sunday and will be replaced in the back four by Victor Lindelof, who partners Lisandro Martinez with Harry Maguire also unavailable. Luke Shaw is set to be drafted in to the team in place of Tyrell Malacia, while Diogo Dalot and David de Gea keep their places.
Man Utd's predicted XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Martial; Ronaldo
