Brentford v Manchester United teams announced: Ronaldo starts, Maguire & Martial on the bench

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the Manchester United line-up for Wednesday night’s Premier League game against Brentford.

He is one of two changes from Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, with Scott McTominay also coming back into the team, while Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani drop out.

The Uruguayan isn’t even on the bench, suggesting there may be an injury concern, but Anthony Martial is among the substitutes after his public disagreement with manager Ralf Rangnick last week.

Harry Maguire is another player named on the bench, with Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane starting at centre-back. Meanwhile, Alex Telles is at left-back, with Luke Shaw not among the 20-man squad.

However, Anthony Elanga keeps his place in the starting XI, even though Marcus Rashford is on the bench. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not part of the United contingent, nor is Jesse Lingard, who is strongly being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

As for the hosts, they make four changes from their last outing, with January recruit Jonas Lossl making his first start for the Bees.

United begin the game in seventh, but could end the night as high as fifth if they were to come away from the Brentford Community Stadium with a resounding win.

Starting teams

Brentford: Lossl; Pinnock, Jansson, Bech; Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Canos; Mbeumo, Toney.

Substitutes: Fernandez, Henry, Forss, Wissa, Ghoddos, Ajer, Baptiste, Bidstrup, Stevens.

Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; McTominay, Fred, Fernandes, Greenwood, Ronaldo, Elanaga.

Substitutes: Heaton, Henderson, Jones, Maguire, Matic, Van de Beek, Mata, Martial, Rashford