Ten Hag explains XI to face Bournemouth
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained his starting XI to face Bournemouth in the Premier League this afternoon.
The boss has opted against making any changes from the side that beat Wolves 2-0 at home last time out, with Marcus Rashford still unavailable for selection through illness.
"We played a good game last week, it was a very dominant game so I expect the same today with the same line-up," Ten Hag told MUTV ahead of kick-off.
Despite the absence of our talisman, who the Dutchman expects to be ready to face Chelsea on Thursday, Ten Hag is confident the travelling players can deliver.
"It is not about the players who are not available," he told BBC. "Nottingham Forest away with Marcus, we won; last week against Wolves without Marcus, we won.
"So it's not only about one player. He has had a great season, but also we have a good squad and we have a lot of players with a lot of quality who could score a goal, so we do it with this team."
Ten Hag will also be able to call upon the exciting talent of Alejandro Garnacho from the bench, who marked his return to action with a goal in front of the Stretford End last Saturday.
Raphael Varane makes a second successive start since returning from injury, partnering Victor Lindelof in central defence; Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will play on the left and right side of the backline, respectively.
Lindelof told BBC: “It’s always nice to play and to be out on the pitch and help my team-mates. I'm very pleased to be in the team and to play and to perform.”
Erik: I expect the same today
Ten Hag is looking for another strong performance from his unchanged side at Bournemouth today...
David De Gea retains his place in goal and can earn the Premier League's Golden Glove award with a clean sheet this afternoon.
Scott McTominay makes a welcome return to the matchday squad, as a substitute, after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Ten Hag told MUTV: “Every player you miss but there are some players you can't miss. Players like Scott are so important across the whole season.
“He has a very good attitude, always aggressive, always bringing something in the team, a positive vibe so I’m really happy he's back.”
LINE-UPS
Bournemouth: Neto (c); Zabarnyi, Sensei, Kelly; Smith, Cook, Lerma, Anthony; Christie, Brooks; Solanke.
Substitutes: Travers, Stephens, Mepham, Ouattara, Stacey, Vina, Moore, Sadi, Adu-Adjei.
United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes (c), Sancho; Martial.
Substitutes: Butland, Maguire, Malacia, Fred, Dalot, Weghorst, Pellistri, McTominay, Garnacho.