Manchester United were in Europa League action on Thursday night as clubs took a break from their domestic competitions to compete across the continent.
As is typically done, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag shuffled his pack for the visit of La Liga side Real Sociedad, resting some of his regular stars and handing the fringe players a chance to shine.
Centre-backs Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire returned to the team while Casemiro made his first start following his £70million summer transfer from Real Madrid. Fred was also on the teamsheet with Scott McTominay named on the bench and Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been a bit-part player so far this season, led the United line.
One man who many expected to see on Thursday night was Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed back in 2019 from Crystal Palace for a staggering £50m.
The defender was named on the bench for the clash, with Ten Hag's preferred full-back Diogo Dalot retaining his position on the right-hand side for the Red Devils.
Ten Hag made five changes over the course of the game, which United lost 1-0, and even hooked the Portuguese defender on 46 minutes in order to give him a rest.
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But instead of subbing on the natural right-back, Ten Hag instead gave Lisandro Martinez the nod and shifted Lindelof out wide to play in a relatively unfamiliar position.
The decision says a lot about how highly Ten Hag rates the Englishman and suggests Wan-Bissaka will have to secure a move away from Man United to get his career back on track.
As aforementioned, United were beaten in their opening Europa League clash with a contentious Brais Mendez penalty separating the two sides at Old Trafford.
Martinez was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box after it was fired at him from close range and deflected off his knee before clattering the underside of his elbow.
Referee Marco Di Bello reviewed the incident via VAR but stuck to his original decision to award the penalty and even booked Martinez for handball.
Post-match press conferences were not held as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, meaning there was no reaction from Ten Hag to the defeat.
