Manchester United are in action again this week as Erik ten Hag eyes a fifth straight win in all competitions, having arrested United’s poor start to the season by winning their last four league games.
The most recent victory, a 3-1 humbling of Arsenal, is the most significant of them all as embryos of Ten Hag’s laws were on display more than in any other game.
Ten Hag’s major changes to the side that beat Liverpool last month have been a catalyst for this inspired run and it has offered Ten Hag added authority.
As a result, he could very well make 11 changes against Real Sociedad and still field a team with several first-team regulars under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last year.
Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo are almost certain to start the game but Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial are unlikely to feature due to injuries.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka will replace Diogo Dalot ahead of Sunday’s game at Crystal Palace, whilst Casemiro could make his first start of the season after three league appearances from the bench.
Antony, who played roughly an hour in his goalscoring debut at Old Trafford last weekend, is likely to be given a rest as Anthony Elanga comes in.
Donny van de Beek worked with Ten Hag for several years at Ajax but has barely featured this summer. An appearance against Real Sociedad is also unlikely after the Dutchman missed the win over Arsenal with an injury.
It remains to be seen whether Martin Dubravka is handed his debut for the Reds or if Ten Hag prefers to play De Gea in all major competitions.
Predicted Man United line-up (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Elanga, Garnacho, Sancho; Ronaldo
Please put CR7 in starting 11
And do not play HM ok!!!