Erik ten Hag handed huge injury boost ahead of Manchester derby
Manchester United are still searching for their fifth straight win in the Premier League after games against Crystal Palace and Leeds were postponed this month.
Erik ten Hag has guided his side to a four-match winning streak, which included home wins against Liverpool and Arsenal. Now, he has his sights on a fifth victory as he prepares to make his bow in the Manchester derby.
Marcus Rashford scored three goals in those two games against Liverpool and Arsenal but the 24-year-old has missed United’s last two games with injury and was also left out of England’s squad for games against Germany and Italy. Now, Ten Hag has been handed a huge injury boost ahead of the game against Manchester City next month.
Read more: Erik ten Hag given clearance to sign more players in January
According to ESPN, United are hopeful that Rashford will be fit to play in the Manchester derby next month. As per the report, United staff do not believe Rashford’s injury is serious and he is likely to start if he recovers in time to train next week.
Anthony Martial, on the other hand, is not believed to be as close to a return. The Frenchman has not started a game this season and his only appearance came as a second-half substitute against Liverpool when he assisted the eventual winner.
Martial enjoyed a promising pre-season but just like most of his seven-year stay at Old Trafford, his progress has been halted by injuries under Ten Hag.
SN’s verdict…
Rashford’s return to the pitch is crucial for Ten Hag and especially in a game like this. The Wythenshawe-born forward has already proven that he is United’s most potent weapon in big games.
City also have a clear weakness in defending against quick players and Rashford could really flourish in this game if he’s passed fit. Should he not recover in time for the game, it’s likely that Cristiano Ronaldo will be reintroduced to the side.
Ronaldo has started just one Premier League game and made appearances from the bench in the other five fixtures.
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