Ten Hag explains semi-final XI

The Reds boss has made three changes to the team that lost 3-0 and were subsequently knocked out of the Europa League by Sevilla on Thursday night.

One was enforced, with captain Harry Maguire suspended, so Luke Shaw, as expected, is drafted in to partner Victor Lindelof, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane both sidelined.

Bruno Fernandes, back from his own ban, and Marcus Rashford, also start, at the expense of Marcel Sabitzer and Jadon Sancho, who are among the substitutes.

When asked if there were any concerns about Shaw operating in the middle, the boss told MUTV: "No, but I think it’s the first time this partnership with Victor [is used] but he knows what to do. I think we prepared it very well. They know how to connect with each other so to co-operate anticipate certain actions of Brighton, so I have faith in it. So it is the right solution."

In a separate interview with the BBC, he added: "He [Shaw] is capable of performing there. He knows what to do there. Brighton is difficult, they control the game a lot and they turn back and arrive in the box. Luke knows how to deal with it. He is with Victor. Though they haven’t played so often together but that is the way it is. We have to deal with it because of the suspension of Harry and of course the injuries of Rapha Varane and Licha Martinez.”

Rashford and Fernandes's return to the XI is also certainly good news for the Reds.

"It doesn’t matter who plays, we have to win," Erik stated. "Of course, it’s important when you have quality players, they can make a difference, all three. Marcus is a very good [boost], especially against them. They leave a lot of space behind. With his speed, and Antony and Anthony Martial, we will be a real threat there with them. So we have to use it."

Shaw and Martial shrugged off knocks sustained in the defeat to Sevilla, and Ten Hag said: "Everyone wants to be in so that tells something about the motivation and, of course, we have to bounce back. We had a really poor performance on Thursday night and this is a great opportunity, a semi-final, you can enter the final, but you have to earn it."

THE TEAMS

Brighton: Sanchez; Gross, Webster, Dunk (c), Estupinan; Caicedo, Mac Allister; March, Enciso, Mitoma; Welbeck.

Subs: Steele, Colwill, Undav, Ayari, Gilmour, Van Hecke, Veltman, Buonanotte, Offiah.

United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes (c), Rashford; Martial.

Subs: Butland, Malacia, Williams, Fred, Sabitzer, Elanga, Pellistri, Sancho, Weghorst.