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Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in the starting line-up by Erik ten Hag for Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Sheriff at Old Trafford.
It is the first time Ronaldo has featured for United since he walked down the tunnel during his team’s 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was dropped for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute and leaving the bench early against Spurs in the previous game.
United manager Ten Hag insisted the decision was to stick to principles and build a positive environment at the club, with the Portugal international only allowed to return to first-team training on Tuesday.
Ronaldo was back from the start for Thursday’s game, looking to add to his two goals in all competitions this season.
Ten Hag also handed talented teenager Alejandro Garnacho his first United start in the Group E fixture, while Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek returned to the bench after recovering from injuries.
The Dutch coach made four changes to the team that drew at Chelsea, with Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof, Garnacho and Ronaldo coming in for Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
