Erik ten Hag explains risky Man United starting XI decision vs Copenhagen

Erik ten Hag has explained his reasonings for only making one change to his Manchester United team ahead of their Champions League clash against Copenhagen.

The United manager has brought Marcus Rashford back into the team after he missed out on the squad against Fulham through illness. He replaces Antony in the side.

However, the manager has admitted that he’s still lacking midfield balance in his side and he continues with the pivot of Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay despite new signings Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat being on the bench.

Raphael Varane also is not in the side as Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans continue in the team.

The decisions made by Ten Hag are extremely risky when you consider the game is a must-win if United are to qualify from their Champions League group.

Ahead of the game, the manager explained that he wants to keep consistency within the starting team after an injury-filled campaign has limited his ability to do that.

“We have to have consistency,” he told MUTV. “That’s why I’m keeping the team against Fulham. Only one change with the return of Rashford.

“There were positives in this match, we have to keep this state of play. mind, ball control. When you line up the same XI, the automatisms improve.”

Though, questions regarding the line-up from supporters seem completely fair, with a 35-year-old Evans starting ahead of Varane and one of the star summer signings not being used from the start.

Victory will quieten the noise, of course. And Ten Hag reiterated the importance of consistency when speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the game.

“We trust this team and they did very well last Saturday,” he added. “We have to have a consistent team and then you have to trust the team. They fought together and I know they can still do better. They can still do better in possession, but they fought as a team and then you have to give trust.”