Cristiano Ronaldo would not have been happy to have been benched for a second game in a row but on both occasions Manchester United have come away with maximum points.
Erik ten Hag instead chose Marcus Rashford to lead the line after an encouraging display in Monday’s win over Liverpool. The trip to Southampton seemed perfect for a poacher but the United boss opted against starting Ronaldo.
He was eventually brought on with just over 20 minutes to go but Ten Hag’s selection looks ominous for the striker. Rashford could have deployed on the left, which is where he was when he scored against Liverpool, but was positioned up top. Anthony Elanga - who was 16-months-old when Ronaldo first joined United in 2003 - was the man on the flank.
