CRISTIANO RONALDO STARTS – MAN UNITED’S PROBABLE LINEUP VS REAL SOCIEDAD

After winning four games on the trot in the Premier League, Manchester United will kick start their Europa League campaign tonight against Real Sociedad. As far as the team news is concerned, Ten Hag could make a number of changes to the squad that started against Arsenal last weekend. The Dutch manager has confirmed that Ronaldo is an obvious option to start and therefore, we can expect the Portugal captain to feature as the lone center forward up front. Rashford could be rested vs the Txuri-Urdin.

In the attacking midfield, Fernandes and Antony may retain their positions, on the other hand, Elanga could return in place of Jadon Sancho to start on the left flank. As far as the central midfield is concerned, Brazil duo of Fred and summer signing, Casemiro, should replace the likes of Eriksen and McTominay. At the back, captain, Maguire, would probably return and partner Victor Lindelof in the central defense in front of David De Gea.

Dalot should start in the right back role again and Luke Shaw may return in place of Malacia to feature in the left back position. Here is Man Utd’s probable 4-2-3-1 XI vs Real Sociedad: David De Gea; Luke Shaw; Harry Maguire; Victor Lindelof; Diogo Dalot; Casemiro; Fred; Antony; Bruno Fernandes; Anthony Elanga; Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United faced Real Sociedad in the Europa League group stage games last season and even though they outclassed the Spanish side last campaign, they would be wary that they could be facing a slightly different aide and they would therefore be expected to approach the game with utmost seriousness in a bid to start their European campaign on the front foot. Ronaldo, should he start, wouod be in line to score his first goal of the current campaign.