Erik ten Hag explains surprise Sofyan Amrabat decision for Manchester United vs Crystal Palace

Sofyan Amrabat is playing at left-back for Manchester United against Crystal Palace because he has previous experience in that role.

United got back to winning ways with a gutsy 1-0 victory against Burnley at the weekend and Ten Hag has urged his players to build momentum following that result with a win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Ten Hag was expected to make changes for the game and when the team news arrived, the starting line-up created discussion.

ALSO READ: Jadon Sancho deactivates his Instagram account

ALSO READ: United duo proved critics wrong during Burnley win

Andre Onana has been selected to start in between the sticks against Palace and he'll be protected by a back four of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Amrabat, who is set to play in the left-back position.

Although Amrabat is a natural midfielder, he's versatile and he played as a left-back when Ten Hag was in charge at Utrecht.

Elsewhere, Casemiro, Mount and Hannibal Mejbri will make up the midfield, while Facundo Pellistri will start on the right, with Anthony Martial down the middle and Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank.

Ten Hag spoke to MUTV to explain his team ahead of kick-off and said: "We've got too many games and it's always about that. We need to look at freshness, to manage the load of the players and it's about winning this game.

"They [Maguire and Mount] need the minutes. They were injured, but they're now returning, so it's important for the team they're returning because many games are coming up and we need a full squad and also competition.

"We had to be able to make choices from a tactical perspective. Amrabat is a midfielder, but he's previously played as a full-back a while ago. At