Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for Manchester United's Premier League showdown with Leeds United at Elland Road this afternoon, making two very bold selection calls.
United, who won 4-2 on their last visit to Elland Road, will be looking to get back to winning ways following Wednesday night's 2-2 draw with Leeds in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford. After falling 2-0 down, United battled back to earn a point, thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and substitute Jadon Sancho.
It means that Ten Hag will be determined to see his side go one better this afternoon and get back on the winning trail, as they look to tighten their grip on a top-four berth. The Dutchman, as expected, has opted to make a few changes to the side that drew in midweek, making three in total.
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Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Sancho, who wins his first start since October, have come into the side, meaning Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho have dropped out. Luke Shaw is set to partner Maguire in the heart of the back-four.
Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Elanga have been named among the substitutes. However, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial and Antony all remain sidelined through injury, while Casemiro is still suspended.
Having made the decision to make three changes to the side that drew with Leeds just four days ago, Ten Hag will be hoping to see a better performance from his side this afternoon, as they look to secure their first Premier League away win of 2023. It is, unsurprisingly, the omissions of Varane and Martinez that have 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 his first choice centre-backs on the bench.
As you can see from the messages displayed in the tweets above, Ten Hag's decision to name both Varane and Martinez on the bench has generated a feeling of disbelief. Varane's absence is slightly more understandable ahead of the clash with Barcelona, but Martinez is unavailable for the trip to Spain through suspension.
United starting line-up: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Shaw, Malacia; Fred, Sabitzer, Fernandes; Sancho, Weghorst, Rashford.
Substitutes: Heaton, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Varane, Iqbal, Pellistri, Elanga, Garnacho.
This afternoon's contest kicks-off at 2:00pm and you can follow all of the action on our live matchday blog, which you can access by clicking here.
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