Manchester United are set to take on Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Sunday as the Reds look for back-to-back wins in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag’s men are in terrific form and come into the game high in confidence, with a victory potentially taking them to a top-four position depending on other results this weekend.
Ten Hag has dealt with a number of big absentees ahead of the game, with captain Harry Maguire named on the bench and vice-captain Bruno Fernandes suspended.
That meant that a decision had to be made on who would be wearing the armband for the clash against Villa and eventually, it landed on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking ahead of the game in which Ronaldo will captain United for the first time since January, Ten Hag has explained the decision, revealing why he did not choose David de Gea or Casemiro.
“We have more leaders,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website. “But now Harry Maguire is on the bench and Bruno Fernandes is suspended and not available, and you take a player who has the leadership.
“The goalie is often far away from situations and has less influence, especially in the opposition half, where we want to play – in the opposition half.
“Casemiro is not speaking the full English language so we came to Cristiano. He’s been doing well in the last two games, keep the process going and he has to be the example.”
Ronaldo’s inclusion in the line-up means that the Portuguese forward is starting back-to-back games in the Premier League for the first time this season.
The decision comes after a number of regulars in the frontline were ruled out due to injury. Jadon Sancho and Antony are both out of the squad whilst Anthony Martial, who has started just one game this season, returns to the bench.
