26 February 2023 , 08:00
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The big question for Manchester United ahead of the Carabao Cup Final: How fit is Marcus Rashford?
The red-hot striker has been in sparkling form of late and helped the Red Devils to beat Barcelona in the Europa League knockout play-off round on Thursday night. But Rashford was substituted in the 88th minute and looked in discomfort as he walked down the touchline at full-time.
The 25 year-old, who has scored 16 goals in 18 matches since the World Cup, posted an image of him leaving the Old Trafford field accompanied with a bandaged emoji on Friday. His manager, Erik ten Hag, when asked if he will be available to face Newcastle at Wembley, said simply: “I don’t know.”
With Anthony Martial definitely out - has been doing individual training this week - United will be desperate to have Rashford available. He travelled with the side down to London on Saturday.
And Rashford himself will be desperate to play. Seemingly emboldened since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, he has emerged as the face of Ten Hag’s new era, with the kind of daring and ruthless finishing that was missing during the club’s disappointing 2021-22 campaign having returned to his play.
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Assuming he is fit, the question is whether he will start as the focal point of the side’s attack - with Wout Weghorst dropping to the bench after being substituted at half-time in midweek - or whether he starts from a wide role.
Will Marcus Rashford be fit to lead Manchester United's attack? (UEFA via Getty Images)Elsewhere, Ten Hag has a decision to make over his right-back position, having chopped and changed between Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot in recent weeks.
Wan-Bissaka, whose Old Trafford future looked bleak in the early part of the season during which time Dalot appeared to make the position his own, has returned from injury recently and impressed.
Fred should start in central midfield alongside fellow Brazilian Casemiro, who returns from suspension, while Antony’s bright display in midweek could see him return to the lineup, if either Rashford doesn’t make it, or Weghorst is dropped.
Predicted Man Utd Lineup (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fred, Casemiro; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford