It’s a game Manchester United should be winning – can the Reds do it without Marcus Rashford?
A lot has been said about Marcus Rashford not only playing through the pain barrier, with an ongoing shoulder issue, but on top of that he hasn’t had much time to rest with his club.
The England star missed the recent international break due to an injury, which allowed him time to rest up and focus on ending the season strongly.
However, there are doubts over Rashford’s fitness ahead of the Europa League quarter-final against Granada tomorrow night. We reported on pictures of him training at Carrington before the squad jetted off to Spain.
Does Ole Gunnar Solskjaer go with one of his best players in a must win tie, or does he think cautiously with the long-term in mind?
I really don’t think it’s a time for taking risks when ensuring we reach the Europa League semi-finals is the next step towards increasing our chances of winning a trophy this season.
The other option is Edinson Cavani, who couldn’t have looked less interested during Sunday’s 2-1 comeback win over Brighton.
SN’s XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred, Pogba, Fernandes; James, Greenwood, Rashford.
Full Manchester United travelling squad here.
I suspect De Gea will start the rest of United’s games in the Europa League. Dean Henderson looks set to become first choice and it would be a nice send off for the Spaniard to go out with another European winners medal.
There will be concern about our two centre-backs before kick-off because Granada have experience forwards who know a thing or two about throwing their weight around. They are a very direct side, too, so different to what we came up against in the last 32 versus Real Sociedad. I’d like Axel Tuanzebe to start alongside Harry Maguire for that reason but think Solskjaer will opt for Victor Lindelof.
Fred seems to be the most trusted player to sit deep in midfield at the moment, although I think Scott McTominay offers the team more. Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes need to spark the creativity flame in midfield in order for Daniel James, Mason Greenwood and potentially Marcus Rashford to strike gold.
Come on United!
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