Ten Hag explains line-up
Erik ten Hag has provided an explanation for his choice of Manchester United side to face Sheriff Tiraspol.
The Reds' first-ever game in Moldova kicks off at 17:45 BST and the boss has opted to start Cristiano Ronaldo in attack in the absence of Marcus Rashford. The other 10 players are the same who were on duty when we beat Arsenal 3-1 in our last Premier League match.
There are changes to the side selected to face Real Sociedad last week, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez restored to central defence. Scott McTominay is back in midfield, while Bruno Fernandes, who skippers the side, and Jadon Sancho are also reintroduced after coming off the bench in that tie.
After losing to La Real, the pressure is on the Reds to pick up a positive result from the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau.
Good luck to the boys later today @ManUtd ⚽️💪🏾
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) September 15, 2022
In regards to @England every player wants to represent there country and I’m no different! Unfortunately I’m not ready yet as I’ve picked up an untimely injury. 🏴
Ten Hag: We have to win this game
Erik says United will need to play much better than last week to pick up three points tonight...
When asked if he was largely reverting to the side that did so well against Arsenal recently, the boss insisted: "I don't think like that.
"I think it's about, every game, picking the best team. As I said in the programme, we have a good squad so I feel as if everyone can play."
The decision to start Ronaldo certainly went down well with the locals, who cheered his entrance to the pitch enthusiastically, but Ten Hag says this did not enter his thinking.
"It is not about giving the fans what they want," he stressed. "I have to do what is best for the team."
United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; McTominay, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes (c), Sancho; Ronaldo.
Substitutes: Heaton, Vitek, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Iqbal, Elanga, Garnacho, McNeill.