Manchester United could unleash their best front four vs Real Sociedad

A start for Ronaldo?

Marcus Rashford properly came alive from the left wing on Sunday and Arsenal unravelled with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch. Ronaldo provides United with a presence through the middle that is beyond their other forwards and was unfortunate not to start in the 3-1 win.

Holding him back tonight would be senseless. It is a bit of an affront to treat Ronaldo as a Europa League starter, even at this early juncture, and his energetic shift four days ago is additional evidence he has the durability to play two games in a week.

Ronaldo did the Thursday-Sunday shift last season against Arsenal and Crystal Palace and scored two in the former.

Also read: Ten Hag responds to Bailly's claim

Boys from Brazil?

United's midfield is in such a better state than last season Erik ten Hag has the luxury of picking two Brazil starters against Real Sociedad. Casemiro and Fred is a midfield axis with potential for the Premier League, never mind the Europa League.

Casemiro's absence from the XI against Arsenal was more of a jolt than Ronaldo's. Scott McTominay had played with discipline in his previous three starts but was not a compelling case to start and produced his best performance in years on Sunday.

It is still early days for squad management and this week is the first test of how Ten Hag juggles domestic and European competitions.

Who's rested?

Risking Raphael Varane in the Europa League would be inadvisable, particularly when there are options in reserve. Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia have earned breathers and so has Christian Eriksen after six starts in 28 days.

Rashford, Bruno Fernandes Jadon Sancho have also been in the starting XI for all of United's league games but Ten Hag might limit the rotation against