ERIK TEN HAG has not turned to Cristiano Ronaldo to start in his first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United.
The veteran striker has only been included on the bench for the 2pm kick off with Brighton at Old Trafford, despite injury ruling Anthony Martial out of the fixture.
Two of Unitedโs summer signings, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen, will both make their full debuts while it seems Bruno Fernandes will lead the attack instead of Ronaldo.
Argentine centre back Martinez will partner captain Harry Maguire with Eriksen at the top of a three-man midfield that includes Fred and Scott McTominay.
Speaking to Sky Sports about Ronaldoโs place on the bench, Roy Keane insisted it was the right call by ten Hag.
โI think it was a pretty straightforward for the manger,โ he said, pointing out the 37-year-old has only played 45 minutes of football in pre-season.
โAs brilliant as Ronaldo is heโs only had 45 minutes of pre-season. I donโt care how well you look after yourself, you need more than that over the course of pre-season.
โI think he (ten Hag) is looking at the players heโs got, itโs Brighton at home, he still probably feels he fancies his chances to beat Brighton without Ronaldo.
โThere are obviously issues going on in the background and there are a few weeks to look at that before the window closes,โ Keane added, referring to Ronaldoโs desire to leave Old Trafford.
From a football point of view today it was a straightforward call for the manager to make. I watched the game last week and he didnโt exactly put himself around.
โHe certainly needs more minutes under his belt before you can trust him to go into a Premier League match. So I think the call from the manager was common sense.โ
Crazy that a club as big as United havenโt gotten anybody better than Fred and McTominay to anchor midfield.
@Aidan Prior: Crazy that what Roy Keane has to say on matter gets equal billing with actual decision in story and headline.
@Brian Murphy: The new season isnโt 2 days old and the name Roy Keane is already upsetting some people on here.
@Leonard Barry: well heโs a traitor but heโs right on this
@Leonard Barry: Youโve well and truly missed my point. He can say what he wants about it and I have zero issue with the point he makes but not everything he says is worthy of a headline.
2-0 to Brighton. Ronaldo to do another runner at half time
@แดแดแด49: Stonewall penalty waved away by the ref. Old Trafford officials strike again
Maybe they should sign that Welbeck lad โฆbest player on the pitch so farโฆ
Thereโs the unbeaten record gone?
This is what happens when you start another season with McFred. Long season ahead.
Lol
Well thatโs another season written off
They should never had brought him back. Not a team player.