Manchester United return to Premier League action this Saturday with a trip to face Southampton at St. Mary’s, and Erik ten Hag has some crucial decisions to make over what 11 he’ll field.
Amad Diallo has already put his case forward for a starting spot, given that he’s statistically been the side’s most creative and threatening attacking player in just 171 minutes this season, completing the most carries into the final third (eight), more carries into the box (seven) and having more touches in the penalty area (12) than any of his teammates.
However, for Amad to return to the 11, one of Alejandro Garnacho or Marcus Rashford will have to drop to the bench. Based on recent performances, fans will be quick to say the latter should lose his place.
Not Louis Saha, though. He has rallied behind Rashford amidst another turbulent period in the forward’s career, with his last goal coming in March’s quarter-final victory over Liverpool last term.
Saha backs Rashford for upturn in form
“I’m the first person to criticise Marcus Rashford when he doesn’t perform, but I liked his performance against Liverpool in terms of commitment and runs that he made. He hasn’t had the success, but the attitude and approach is right,” the Frenchman told Paddy Power, as cited by The Mirror.
“Everyone was bad against Liverpool, which doesn’t give you the best platform to perform as a forward. None of the midfielders could get going, so it’s hard to look at any forwards in that aspect. It was right for me for Rashford to play for 90 minutes.
“Rashford can be a solution – at the moment, he’s just an asset, but he has that potential. Alejandro Garnacho, Amad, Joshua Zirkzee, are all assets. They can be really good players, but at the moment, they’re still striving to be complete players.
“The one Manchester United player that has the potential to be unplayable is Marcus Rashford. I still think he’s their biggest asset, but at this moment in time, he must keep going in that approach. I give it five games, and things will start going his way more – Liverpool was a tough game, but he will score goals.”
