The boss has adjusted the defence, with Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia introduced, at the expense of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
The surprise move means Luke Shaw will operate at centre-back, with Diogo Dalot continuing on the right.
Erik admits the decision was down to three main factors - rotation, familiarity and tactics. The fact England internationals Maguire and Shaw know the occasion and each other's game well was in his thinking.
"Rotation is one part of it," he told MUTV's Stewart Gardner at Elland Road about leaving out Varane and Martinez. "They've had a lot of games to cover - with the World Cup and now already back and a lot of games coming after each other and a lot of games ahead as well.