Erik ten Hag has praised Martin Dubravka for his experience ahead of making his Manchester United debut.
United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford in the League Cup on Thursday night, just four days after the Reds' were defeated 3-1 at Villa Park in the Premier League, and the fixture has provided Ten Hag's side with an opportunity for immediate revenge.
Ten Hag has insisted he will take the League Cup seriously this season and he has picked a strong starting line up to play Villa, despite making multiple changes, which has given Martin Dubravka the chance to make his debut for the club.
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With loanee Dubravka making his debut, David de Gea has started on the bench, while Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen have come out of the side, with Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire and Fred taking their respective places.
Ten Hag has started Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in attack but there was no sign of Ronaldo.
The Manchester Evening News revealed Ronaldo was unwell shortly after the team news was confirmed, which explained his absence from the squad, and Ten Hag provided a further update on him while discussing his starting XI.
"I think he's [Dubravka] experienced, he's played so many games in the Premier League and for the national team, so he will know what's coming," Ten Hag told MUTV. "He will be composed, he'll lead the back four, so I don't have doubts about that.
"He is [Martial fit], otherwise I wouldn't have put him on. Of course, we are happy with it, he's back, but he needs game practice. He starts the game and we'll see how far he can come. Jadon [Sancho] is ill, Cristiano is ill and Antony is injured.
"We have to give everything and more than the weekend, as that was not good enough."
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