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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith & Stephen Killen

Paul Scholes drops two Erik ten Hag favourites as he names his Man United front-three vs Everton

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is backing Anthony Martial, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford to form manager Erik ten Hag's front-three against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday evening.

Scholes made the admission after watching the trio contribute to United's 3-2 win over Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday evening. After seeing his side head into half-time 1-0 down, Ten Hag made a double substitution at the break, taking off Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho in place of Luke Shaw and Rashford.

The Dutchman's decision to throw on Rashford proved a masterstroke, as he scored twice and grabbed an assist to help United record a second consecutive Europa League win. Martial, who stepped off the bench just past the hour mark, scored just a minute after coming on, meaning he has now scored three goals in his last two matches.

READ MORE: United player ratings vs Omonia Nicosia as Marcus Rashford scores twice

Ronaldo, meanwhile, claimed the assist for Rashford's second of the night, although he was visibly frustrated not to have ended his search for the 700th goal of his club career. Despite fluffing his lines in front of goal more than once, Scholes believes the Portugal international should retain his place for the trip to Everton and start alongside Martial and Rashford for the first time this season.

"I'll go with that front-three [Martial, Rashford, Ronaldo]," Scholes told BT Sport. "At the minute, I think they'll be the most dangerous.

"Ronaldo... Sunday could be a game for him. Martial and Rashford pick themselves after their performances tonight."

Should Ten Hag grant Scholes his wish, it would mean that both Sancho and Antony would be axed from the starting line-up for the trip to Goodison Park. The duo have struggled to have any kind of major impact on proceedings in recent weeks, despite the latter scoring in each of his first two Premier League appearances, finding the net against both Arsenal and Manchester City.

Scholes continued: "I don't think Sancho ever really runs in behind. He is a player that needs somebody to play with; he needs a fast left-back if he's playing on the left-hand side.

"He also needs a centre-forward to link with and he hasn't really got that. I don't think Antony, on the other side, runs in behind, he seems to be a little bit of a one-trick pony, always cutting inside and passing back to the full-back or having a shot.

"I think he needs to develop a little bit more. It is still early days for him and we know that."

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