Both Europa League quarter-finals, a FA Cup semi-final and multiple Premier League matches in vital top-four race – the games injured Marcus Rashford could miss for Man United as the Red Devils embark on an eight-game run over three-and-a-half weeks
Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford has suffered an injury blow as the forward limped off during the Red Devils’ win over Everton.
Despite getting the three points against Sean Dyche’s side, it was not all good news as Erik ten Hag lost his star for over three-and-a-half weeks.
And the head coach pointed the blame at Man United‘s schedule for the injury as he said: ‘Once again that is due to the schedule. It can’t be that you play three games in six days.’
Scoring 27 goals and registering nine assists in 46 matches so far this season, Rashford has been in fine form but now faces a spell on the sideline.
With the England international set to miss several games, Ten Hag will be looking for a member of his squad to step up and replace Rashford’s impact.
Marcus Rashford will miss TWO matches against Brighton and Hove Albion
The striker will also miss both Europa League clashes with Sevilla in the quarter-final
Rashford will likely be sidelined for Man United’s crucial clash against Tottenham Hotspur
Who could Ten Hag play instead?
With Rashford being ruled out for the next few weeks, the manager will already be thinking about who will come into his starting XI to replace the forward.
Since the World Cup, no English player has been in better form than Rashford and his goal involvements will be incredibly difficult to replace.
United tend to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rashford leading the attack in recent weeks as the central striker as Wout Weghorst is deployed behind him.
Against Everton, Rashford played as a lone striker with Jadon Sancho and Antony in support out wide while Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Marcel Sabitzer were deployed in midfield.
Ten Hag could opt for this system going forward, with Weghorst returning as the forward option, or alternatively turning to Anthony Martial upon his return from injury, who scored against Everton.
Anthony Martial could replace Rashford in Erik ten Hag’s starting XI at Manchester United
Could it lead to a formation change?
While Sabitzer was deployed as the furthest forward of the midfielders, United stuck to their 4-2-3-1 shape against Everton.
However, with the injury to Rashford we could see Ten Hag adopt a more defensive approach and set his team up in more of a 4-3-3 to add an extra central midfielder.
Chritian Eriksen’s return from injury comes at a good time for the Red Devils to provide additional options to suit this system.
However, Ten Hag seems to be adamant on playing his preferred 4-2-3-1 in recent weeks and could simply bring in Martial and Weghorst to play as a 9 and 10 respectively.
It remains to be seen as to what the United boss opts to do as possession is the fundamental principle of his football identity but losing their top goal scorer could see the changes have to be made to the team’s shape.
Ten Hag could look to change from Manchester United’s 4-2-3-1 formation for the period
What games will Rashford miss?
As we head towards the business end of the season, Manchester United are still in a battle for the top four.
It is fair to say that they will miss Rashford while he is sidelined through injury.
In total, he could miss up to eight matches if ruled out for the full three-and-a-half week period.
The full games Rashford could miss are:
Europa League
- Sevilla – April 13
- Sevilla – April 20
Premier League
- Nottingham Forest – April 16
- Brighton & Hove Albion – April 23
- Tottenham Hotspur – April 27
- Aston Villa – April 30
- Brighton & Hove Albion – May 4
- West Ham – May 7
