Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire are set to be recalled to Manchester United's starting line-up on Thursday.
Ronaldo and skipper Maguire have not started for United since the 4-0 humiliation at Brentford back on August 13. Since then, United have won four successive games to move up to fifth in the Premier League, but boss Erik ten Hag is ready to change things up for tomorrow's Europa League visit of Real Sociedad.
Ronaldo and Maguire are set to start, along with Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw, as Ten Hag rotates his squad and gives players some much-needed game-time. Ten Hag wants to give a rest to the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia, ahead of United's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
New £70million signing Casemiro is set to start, along with Brazil colleague Antony, who scored on his debut in Sunday's 3-1 win over Arsenal, while Fred and Anthony Elanga are set to be recalled. Ten Hag knows the importance of a big squad and rotating his personnel, with so many games packed into a shorter schedule, because of the mid-season break for the World Cup in November and December.
The United boss has stressed the value of a squad where everyone plays a part, with the Dutchman likely to use different personnel in the Premier League and Europa League, to protect players from burn-out.
One player likely to keep his place tomorrow is Antony, given the Arsenal game was his first game for three weeks, after he went on strike at Ajax to force through his move to United.
Reflecting on his goalscoring debut, Antony said: "To score my first goal and share this moment with the crowd, with a great atmosphere, was brilliant.
"From the moment I stepped on to the pitch I already had goosebumps, because I know how much I wanted to be here and I know how much the crowd wanted this. When I saw the ball going in, and the net shaking, I expressed all my feelings the way I did. Yes, it gave me goosebumps, for sure."
