Man Utd predicted XI to face Real Sociedad with Erik ten Hag tipped to make eight changes

Erik ten Hag may use Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad as a chance to rotate his Manchester United squad.

The Red Devils boss has made just one change across the last four league games and may opt to keep his squad fresh for the weekend trip to Crystal Palace, despite claiming in his pre-press conference that the Europa League will not be seen as a competition solely used to rest senior players.

“For the players who are now not in the team, we know they can come in at any moment and do a job and maybe do better than the ones who are in,” Ten Hag said on Wednesday, which could be an indication of his plans to start with players who have had fewer minutes of late.

“I know you need more than 11 players to be successful. I know we have a really good bench, and when they come on they really contribute to the success we have. I know the players on the bench will have games as a starting XI player.”

However, he did confirm Anthony Martial won’t be involved as he continues his recovery from an Achilles injury, while Luke Shaw and Donny van de Beek missed training and are therefore not expected to be involved in the matchday squad.

How will Ten Hag line up?

One player who could be set for a rest is David de Gea, which would allow Martin Dubravka to make his United debut.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are options to come into defence with the latter not featuring at all this season due to injury while Maguire has been dropped for the last three.

Assuming Shaw is absent, Tyrell Malacia is the only real option at left-back with Brandon Williams not registered to play in the Europa League, and still injured.

On the other side of defence, Aaron Wan-Bissaka could come back into the team, although he has struggled with a knock which forced him to miss the last two matchday squads. Diogo Dalot was also selected as the press conference player, often a sign he’ll start the following day.

Casemiro might be handed a first start at the base of midfield alongside Fred, which would afford Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen a game off.

However, Van de Beek’s injury poses a problem for Ten Hag. Bruno Fernandes remains the obvious option to play in an attacking midfield role, with Zidane Iqbal also a possibility, and the youngster was spotted in training on Wednesday.

Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo may be handed a starting berth, while two of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho will probably begin the match on the flanks.

Predicted XI: Dubravka; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; Fred, Casemiro, Fernandes; Elanga, Ronaldo, Garnacho.