Manchester United have an easy decision to make with Cristiano Ronaldo vs Brighton

Does Ronaldo start?

If there is an injury or ailment in attack, it should not even be a debate if Cristiano Ronaldo starts. He is United's only dependable goalscorer and the game's greatest goalscorer. The alternative is Anthony Elanga, without a goal since February.

Erik ten Hag is waking up to Ronaldo back page splashes on a daily basis but United put up with his baggage as far back as the 2008-09 season when Ronaldo stewed after not joining Real Madrid. As Sir Alex Ferguson said when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had the temerity to bench Ronaldo against Everton last year: you play your best players.

Starting centre-backs?

Harry Maguire overcame a chastening start to pre-season to produce some good performances and Ten Hag has clarified he is a starter. Victor Lindelof lined up in the five meaningful friendlies but Lisandro Martinez got an hour under his belt against Rayo Vallecano and Ten Hag stressed the Argentinian has been bought to strengthen the team, not the squad.

Also read: United frustrated by Barcelona holding up De Jong deal

There is also the garlanded Raphael Varane to consider. Lindelof is the least fashionable of the centre-backs though he could be about to start a fifth successive season for United.

Does Eriksen force his way in?

A poll on who should start with Fred in midfield might as well consist of one name: Christian Eriksen. Scott McTominay did not distinguish himself during the friendlies and it remains to be seen whether Ten Hag favours his axis with Fred, a selection always liable to crash Twitter on matchday.

Eriksen got minutes against Rayo Vallecano and Atletico Madrid last week. Brighton, deprived of Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella, are not quite as imposing as last season when they outplayed