Cristiano Ronaldo dropped by Michael Carrick for Man Utd’s clash with Chelsea

Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped by Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick for the Red Devils’ Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

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Press conference with Manchester United’s caretaker manager Michael Carrick ahead of his side’s Premier League match against Chelsea

Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped by Michael Carrick for Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea.

The 36-year-old scored twice in midweek for the Red Devils but United’s interim manager has left Ronaldo on the bench as they return to Premier League action.

Without suspended captain Harry Maguire and injured summer signing Raphael Varane, Carrick has opted to go with Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof as a central defensive partnership.

Alex Telles keeps his place at at left-back in Luke Shaw’s absence, with a central midfield trio of Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay and Fred.

The Brazilian was outstanding in the aforementioned win away to Villarreal which sent the Red Devils through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Join the debate! Has Carrick made a mistake by dropping Ronaldo? Comment your thoughts below.

With the five-time Ballon d’Or winner absent from the starting XI, Bruno Fernandes – captaining the side – starts in attack, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho either side.

Ronaldo, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood have all been named on the bench, along with Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Donny van de Beek.

Also among the substitutes was Phil Jones, for the first time in almost two years in the Premier League.

United are looking to maintain their seven-game unbeaten run against Chelsea in the top flight, last losing a league fixture to the Blues in 2017, when Carrick was still playing.

The caretaker boss’ defensive line-up follows his praise for opposite number Thomas Tuchel’s side in his pre-match press conference.

“You’ve got to be hugely impressed by the way they go about things.

“Obviously, I’ve watched quite a bit of them. Super intense, well-organised, really good movement across our back line, their front line and very good at connecting with the midfield, with the back three building out and connecting in midfield.

“The wing-backs are really aggressive and test your backline and stretch you across the pitch.”

They’ve got a really good balance going at the moment, confidence is high and you can see that.

“They’ve had some really terrific results and so they’re on a high and I’m well aware of the challenges we face but, you know, as I said before, I’m looking forward to it because it’s a big test and a big challenge but we feel we can go there and get a good result, no doubt.

“We have to believe that.”

Carrick added: “These are the games you’ve got to enjoy, embrace putting yourself in these positions and test yourself against a team that’s playing very well, very well.

“Whatever individuals are on the pitch for them, in recent times, they’ve looked dangerous, they’ve looked a good team and obviously had some really terrific results.

“So it’ll be a test for us and I’m looking forward to it.”