Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has stressed that his decision to bench both Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire for Monday’s 2-1 win over Liverpool was not a sign of his lack of faith in the duo.
After a dismal start to the season, Ten Hag made the brave decision to drop arguably his two most high-profile players in Ronaldo and Maguire, and the results were emphatic as United romped to a thoroughly deserved victory.
Ronaldo, who has asked to leave the club, came on for the final four minutes, while Maguire remained an unused substitute as Raphael Varane took his place alongside the excellent Lisandro Martinez.
After the game, Ten Hag spoke to Sky Sports about the selection choice.
“I have decisions to make,” he said. “I have a squad and we have to use the squad. We play 50-60 games, from game-to-game we will see what team we will pick.
“I don’t have to mention Harry Maguire and Ronaldo, they are amazing players, and they will play a role in the future and the short future as well.”
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Before kick-off, Ten Hag suggested that the pair’s lack of mobility was behind his decision to drop Ronaldo and Maguire, with the both insisting that United needed to press in attack and cope with Liverpool’s fluidity at the back.
The manager’s bold call undoubtedly paid off as goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford fired United into a two-goal lead, before the Red Devils held on and resisted the pressure that followed Mohamed Salah’s second-half strike to seal a much-needed victory.