Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted the drama of Wednesday's last-gasp victory over Villarreal played a big part in his selection for the lunchtime kick-off vs Everton.
Cristiano Ronaldo's stoppage time winner spared Manchester United's blushes to seal a late 2-1 win on his first Champions League appearance back at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer conceded the Portuguese forward's minutes would "need to be managed" over the course of the season when discussing the clash with Everton to reporters on Friday.
And he has followed that up by starting the 36-year-old on the bench for the visit of the Toffees.
Explaining his decision, Solskjaer said prior to kick-off: "Well Wednesday night was a big effort, big emotional and physical output. So we needed to freshen it up, we knew it's an early kick off.
"The start of this game is going to be very important and we've got some very good players coming on as well so we believe it's a team that is going to take charge of the game."
Paul Pogba has also dropped to the bench, along with United's other goalscorer on Wednesday, Alex Telles.
That makes room for Luke Shaw, who returns from injury, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is included following his suspension.
There are also starts for Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani in attack as Jadon Sancho is named among the substitutes.
Solskjaer fumed in his pre-match press conference that United's match should have been moved to Sunday following their midweek exploits.
“We've had absolutely no explanation,” said Solskjaer. “It's TV, no common sense at all. We had the same scenario last year in Turkey.
“Players aren't going get that joy again but we have to make it happen, it's not like we did it last year, so we have to do it again, and the crowd is important.
“Us and Chelsea played Wednesday night. We could easily have played Sunday and Liverpool and City on Saturday. Common sense might not be so common.
“It's a quick turnaround, and difficult when we played Wednesday night and Saturday morning, but the players aren't going to get caught out.”
United certainly have the strength in depth to rotate, but face an Everton side who have had the benefit of a week's rest and who currently sit level on points with them in the table.
Ronaldo's omission is the biggest surprise amid his haul of five goals in as many games since his move back to the club.
And United are also under pressure to get a result having lost their last Premier League outing to Aston Villa last weekend.
But Solskjaer is clearly concerned about burning out the veteran too early and is keen to protect him where possible.
"He’s had a great impact on and off the pitch in how professional he is," Solskjaer said on Friday. "Of course there’s the goals – five goals in five games says everything.
"At his age, he’s still fit. Of course we’ve got to manage him, got to make sure he can keep going with his form. He’s a very good example for everyone in how he prepares, how he conducts himself.
"It’s been a very, very good impact so far and it’s only been a month so long may it continue."
Man Utd team to face Everton: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, Varane, Lindelof, McTominay, Fred, Fernandes, Martial, Greenwood, Cavani.
