Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has dropped Cristiano Ronaldo from the squad to face Chelsea in Saturday's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
The 37-year-old was an unused substitute for only the second time this season in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, where he was seen walking down the tunnel before full time.
Man United have now confirmed that the attacker will not play a part this weekend, but Ronaldo's absence was barely felt as the Red Devils put in one of their best performances of the season against Spurs.
Ten Hag will no doubt be tempted to name an unchanged lineup in that case, as Axel Tuanzebe (unspecified), Brandon Williams (unspecified), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (muscle), Harry Maguire (hamstring), Donny van de Beek (muscle) and Anthony Martial (back) are all set to remain sidelined.
An unchanged backline should comprise David de Gea, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw, and Ten Hag's biggest selection dilemma comes in the middle.
Fred deputized for the recently-recovered Christian Eriksen against Tottenham and put in a brilliant performance, so the Brazilian has surely warranted another start alongside Casemiro unless Ten Hag decides that fresh legs are required.
Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford should not be in any danger of losing their spots, and given the latest drama surrounding Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho could be handed another chance down the left in an unaltered XI.
Man United possible starting lineup: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford
> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this clash
Ben Knapton
