While Manchester United picked up crucial factors in a 2-0 victory over Everton Saturday at Old Trafford, it was a match that might convey extra fear than reduction for the membership. The victory offers United two wins on the trot, however there may be trigger for concern over the well being of ahead Marcus Rashford. He exited the sport within the 81st minute after pulling up when he acquired a cross on the break, and there may be concern that Rashford might miss time if the damage is deemed to be critical.
Coming at a second when United had been simply getting Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial again from accidents and also will see Casemiro return from suspension subsequent week, shedding their talisman could not occur at a worse time. Rashford has scored 27 targets and assisted 10 extra in all competitions which is greater than each different ahead for the membership mixed. Rashford has carried lots of accountability, that includes in a large 48 video games for the Red Devils this season, however that heavy workload is what the staff wanted to succeed.
With January acquisition Wout Weghorst but to attain a Premier League aim, Martial spending extra time injured than wholesome and the wingers being as unpredictable as they arrive, if targets aren’t coming from Bruno Fernandes and Rashford then United is not scoring. It’s why even the slightest niggle causes Erik ten Hag concern, as a result of not solely are margins skinny within the high 4 race however the staff can also advance in Europa League the place they face Sevilla on Thursday (you possibly can catch all of the Europa League motion on Paramount+) and the FA Cup dealing with Brighton.
“I am unable to say on this second, you’re physician, possibly?” ten Hag mentioned after the match about Rashford damage updates. “I’m not. We have to attend, how dangerous or how good it’s. Obviously, he went off with a grievance, now we’ve got to attend, set a analysis and we’ll see.
“Some issues you possibly can’t keep away from but it surely was avoidable. Why is the Premier League giving us the late Sunday night time recreation [last week vs. Newcastle] and giving us the early Saturday recreation? I believe it isn’t proper.”
Ten Hag is correct that United have performed lots of video games this season as a consequence of being in Europa League and Rashford has not solely appeared in most of them but in addition withdrew from England responsibility throughout the March worldwide break earlier than then beginning three video games in a row in six days earlier than selecting up this damage. While depth is a priority for United, it’s nonetheless as much as a supervisor to guard their finest gamers and determine the right way to rotate even their stars when mandatory. Having Rashford wholesome for the season is far more vital than United being extra susceptible to getting upset in a single or two video games that he might’ve rested.
If Rashford misses time, ten Hag’s tactical tweaks will probably be examined in an enormous manner as a result of as a participant he is irreplaceable within the XI. The hope could be that Martial can operate because the 9 however when the Frenchman has solely logged 800 minutes throughout all competitions, that is an unlikely proposition. The excellent news is that Martial has scored seven targets and assisted two in these 800 minutes. together with an insurance coverage aim in Saturday’s victory over Everton, however availability is your finest means.
Casemiro’s return will enhance the protection so it is possible that United will be capable to win extra video games during which they solely rating one aim however the damage checklist is rising. Luke Shaw and Alejandro Garnacho are already sidelined. Jadon Sancho is again however nonetheless has an extended approach to go to be a power within the assault and Antony hasn’t proven the power to be a constant aim scorer within the Premier League.
The absence of high gamers can create the chance for somebody like Antony to make a distinction however with the magnitude of United’s upcoming matches, the strain might trigger issues to crumble. IT might be a season defining stretch upcoming for the Red Devils in the event that they’re with out Rashford.
