Omonia vs Manchester United: Cristiano Ronaldo Selected to Start for Second Straight Europa League Game

Omonia vs Manchester United: Cristiano Ronaldo Selected to Start for Second Straight Europa League Game

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:13 PM
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  • Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in the starting XI for the clash involving Manchester United and Omonia in the Europa League
  • The Red Devils are hoping to make it two wins on the bounce when they take on the Cyprus side on Thursday, October 6
  • Erik ten Hag admitted Ronaldo was irritated at not playing, after being overlooked for the Manchester derby

Cristiano Ronaldo will have the chance to make it two goals in two Europa League games, after being selected to start for Manchester United in the Europa League clash against Omonia.

This comes barely three days after the Portuguese superstar was controversially left on the bench for the Manchester derby.

United boss Erik ten Hag has made a number of changes to the side that lost 6-3 in the derby, as Casemiro also makes the starting XI at the expense of Scott McTominay.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Omonia, Europa League
Omonia vs Manchester United: Cristiano Ronaldo Selected to Start for Second Straight Europa League Game. Photo by Tom Purslow.
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo’s inclusion in the starting XI means there is no room for Marcus Rashford in the starting line-up, with the English forward relegated to the bench alongside Anthony Martial.

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Here is the starting XI for the game:

David De Gea, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Anthony and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ten Hag admits Ronaldo hates not playing

On Wednesday, Sports Brief reported of how Erik ten Hag admitted Cristiano Ronaldo gets unhappy when he is not played regularly.

So far this season, Ronaldo has only started one Premier League game and the Europa League two times.

"He's not happy that he wasn't playing Sunday," ten Hag said. "But when I tell you all the players, when you're here and you're happy, or satisfied, when you're on the bench, this is not a club where you have to be, and especially Cristiano."

The gaffer however shunned claims that Ronaldo was eyeing a move away from United in January, insisting his decision to leave him out in the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City was ‘out of respect’.

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Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.