Manchester United have returned to their Carrington training base after a rare weekend away from competitive action.
The momentum building under Erik ten Hag was halted last week after they were beaten 1-0 by Real Sociedad in the Europa League. And they were unable to quickly bounce back in the Premier League, where they have won their last four matches.
United were due to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park before the Football Association reached the decision to postpone weekend fixtures following the passing of the Queen. It remains to be seen whether domestic football will return this coming week with conflicting reports over stretched resources.
What isn’t in doubt is that the Red Devils will be back in European action on Thursday night. Ten Hag’s side are due to travel to Moldova to face Sheriff Tiraspol where they will need a positive result to get them back in contention to top Group E.
The United boss will have a number of selection dilemmas to solve, especially if it is confirmed that the visit of Leeds United will be postponed. Should that happen, it means their next Premier League clash would be the derby with Manchester City on October 2.
That would be almost a month on from the impressive win over Arsenal at Old Trafford. Ten Hag opted to make some changes for the defeat to Sociedad, thanks in no small part to their crowded fixture schedule.
However, with the possibility of no further games until the start of next month, the United boss may opt to go full strength in Tiraspol. Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a rare start against Sociedad last time out, having been on the bench for all but one game so far this season.
The 37-year-old missed the majority of United’s pre-season amid reports that he was looking to leave the club. That move didn’t materialise leaving him behind the rest of his team-mates when it comes to adapting to the new manager’s high intensity style.
Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure for much of the evening against Sociedad and was denied a goal after his tap-in was correctly ruled out for offside. He will be competing with Marcus Rashford for a starting berth, with the England international showing promising signs he could be approaching his best form.
After a down period over the last 12 months Rashford has three goals in six Premier League matches and is on the verge of a recall to Gareth Southgate’s squad ahead of this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
Elsewhere, Harry Maguire was also back in the starting line-up having been dislodged by the impressive pairing of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. The club captain is now facing a battle to get back into Ten Hag’s Premier League plans, but could be given another chance to impress against a side United will expect to beat comfortably.
Summer signing Antony could again keep his place in the XI after starting against both Arsenal and Sociedad. The £85million man scored against the Gunners, but was unable to replicate that against the Spaniards as he continues to build chemistry following his move from Ajax.
