Former captain Gary Neville believes incoming interim manager Ralf Rangnick may have had a say on Manchester United's starting line-up against Chelsea this afternoon, following Cristiano Ronaldo's omission from the starting line-up.
Despite scoring in United's 2-0 win over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, Ronaldo was one of four changes that caretaker boss Michael Carrick opted to make for the trip to west London.
Ronaldo's omission from the starting line-up meant Carrick opted to trial out a new-look approach, with Bruno Fernandes appearing set to be deployed in the false nine role, flanked either side by Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
Furthermore, Carrick also decided to include three defensive-minded midfielders in the starting line-up, with Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred all starting.
For Neville, he believes the incoming manager may have had a say in how United have set their stall out this afternoon.
On Twitter, Neville said: "A lot of people having a go at Michael Carrick for dropping Ronaldo and picking that midfield. I've a feeling the incoming manager has picked that team as it's a huge departure from midweek and what they've been doing."
Carrick, who had earlier knocked back claims suggesting that Rangnick had had a say in how United lined up this afternoon, has admitted that the decision to leave Ronaldo out of the starting line-up was nothing more than a tactical decision.
Carrick said: "It's a decision just to pick a team, to be honest. I don't think it needs more drama than that.
"Everyone is fine, all the boys who have come out of the team have been terrific around the place, Cristiano included, fantastic with the boys, supporting them 100 per cent and ready to come on if and when needed.
"We’re happy with the team we’ve picked, for sure. We’ve come here to try and win the game, like we do every single game. "
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