Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a humiliating stint on the bench, with his future still in doubt at Manchester United.
The star, 37, missed the tour of Bangkok and Australia for family reasons and has played just 45 minutes since then, in Sunday’s draw with Rayo Vallecano.
That is not enough for boss Erik ten Hag to start him in their Prem opener at home to Brighton on Sunday.
Ten Hag wants to stick with the front three of Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford that served him so well on the pre-season tour.
