Soccer-Ten Hag insists he does not save his best players for the Premier League

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Group E - Manchester United v Sheriff Tiraspol - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - October 27, 2022 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag celebrates after the match REUTERS/Craig Brough

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag said he does not save his best players for Premier League matches, insisting the team he puts out in the Europa League is not chosen just to give squad members a chance to prove themselves.

Five of veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo's seven starts for United in all competitions this season have been in the Europa League, while teenager Alejandro Garnacho was handed his full debut for the club in Thursday's 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol.