Erik ten Hag explains why Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Manchester United vs FC Sheriff in Europa League

Erik ten Hag has explained his decision to start Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United's match against FC Sheriff.

United take on the Moldovan champions in the second group match of the new Europa League campaign on Thursday night. United were defeated by Real Sociedad in the Europa League last week and Ten Hag will be hoping for a response to that result.

After the weekend's Premier League matches were postponed, the squad is fresh and Ten Hag has made multiple changes from the side that lost against Real Sociedad, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez coming back into the starting line up.

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Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes, who all impressed in the Reds' 3-1 defeat of Arsenal, have been chosen to start in midfield, while Antony and Jadon Sancho start again, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack through the middle.

Ronaldo is making just his third start of the season against FC Sheriff and Ten Hag was asked about his team selection.

"I don't think it's that [picking the team that beat Arsenal, bar Ronaldo]. It's about picking the best team for every game," Ten Hag told MUTV. "We have a good squad, so everyone can play. We have to win this game and we have to do well.

"We have to do much better than last week because that was not good enough. The approach is the same if we play Liverpool, Arsenal or FC Sheriff, we are professional, it's about how we play and what are we doing - that has to be clear.

"I have to make the best decisions for the team."

The international break begins after this weekend and United are next in action against Manchester City on October 2.

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