Marcus Rashford was substituted in the closing stages of Thursday’s Europa League win over Barcelona at Old Trafford, sparking injury concerns ahead of Manchester United’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
United’s top-scorer this season wasn’t at his best against the La Liga leaders and had a quiet ninety minutes overall, thanks in particular to the brilliance of Uruguayan centre-back Ronald Araujo.
It was a coming together with Araujo that caused the injury for Rashford who was quickly taken off by Erik ten Hag, with Scott McTominay brought on to help see out the final few minutes.
When asked about Rashford’s condition during his press conference on Friday, Ten Hag said: “I don’t know, the players now are coming in, we have to do investigations, medical of course, we did straight after the game, but most of the time you have to wait for a 100 per cent diagnosis. So let’s do the medical, the work. We have to wait.”
Losing Rashford for Sunday’s final would represent a huge blow for United as he has been arguably the most in-form player in Europe since the World Cup, scoring more goals (16) than any other player in the “big five” leagues.
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Starting all but two games this season for United, Rashford has been a key part of the club’s push to remain competitive in multiple competitions, keeping the distant hopes of a quadruple alive.
Speaking after his commentary duties on MUTV, former Red Devils forward Dion Dublin speculated that Rashford had taken a knock to the ankle.
“He was just taking the weight off his left ankle. Maybe he has rocked it a little bit,” Dublin said.
“Hopefully he can strap it up on Sunday, the medical staff will do what’s right.”
Both Newcastle and Manchester United are now facing the prospect of key personnel missing.
Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope is suspended for the final and could be replaced by Loris Karius as Martin Dubravka is cup-tied and Karl Darlow is on loan at Hull.
If Rashford is ruled out of the game at Wembley, Ten Hag will have to tinker with his attacking options as he eyes up a first trophy win as United’s manager. Here are the potential options for the Dutchman to choose from:
Fernandes up front?
Staring Fernandes up front might well be an option worth considering for Ten Hag given the Portuguese’s previous experience playing as a false nine.
He has played across multiple roles already this season, playing wide on the right of late to accommodate Wout Weghorst in the number 10 spot.
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Starting Fernandes in that role, even with the drop off of pace in behind in central areas might not be the worst idea, given Antony’s positive return to the side against Barcelona. Alejandro Garnacho was also impressive when he came on, causing all sorts of problems on the left.
It would result in a toss-up between Garnacho and Sancho on the left, but pace and direct threat can come from other players in the squad and Fernandes’ creative influence will not be lost with him playing in a withdrawn striker role.
Revisiting Sancho of old?
Before joining Manchester United, Jadon Sancho made his name as one of the world’s most prodigious talents at Borussia Dortmund.
There, he played alongside several exciting forwards including the likes of Marco Reus, and Erling Haaland amongst others. He was deployed in a number of roles across the front line, even playing as a forward too at times.
He did that alongside Haaland and may do so again, with Weghorst as a pairing.
Sancho has shown great promise in central areas since his return to the starting XI and has rotated well with Fernandes on the right when necessary.
His best position is on the left, however, and when he did play as a forward for Dortmund, it was in a front-two, which would be a drastic tactical shift for Ten Hag to make.
Restore Weghorst to nine?
Manchester United fans have seen a lot of endeavour from Weghorst since his arrival at Old Trafford, but goals haven’t quite followed for the industrious Dutchman.
Ten Hag has found a different role for him in his system, deploying him as a 10 and using Rashford as the primary goalscoring threat in the side in a 4-2-3-1 system.
If Rashford’s ankle knock does prevent him from starting the Carabao Cup final, it might well be worth restoring Weghorst’s role as a number nine.
With Sancho, Fernandes and a fresh Antony behind him, Weghorst will be able to receive a greater volume of passes in the box and give him the responsibility of converting chances for United.
He hasn’t done that as much since joining the club, scoring only once, but he has been knocking on the doors of opposition keepers and a final at Wembley may give him a chance to deliver.
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