Erik ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Marcus Rashford ahead of the game between Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Manchester United will look to bounce back to winning ways when they lock horns with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening. And Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The Dutch tactician has been sweating over the fitness of Marcus Rashford this week after the English international picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend. In addition, Scott McTominay continues to nurse the knee problem that forced him to miss the clash with the Reds.
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (calf), Victor Lindelof (hamstring), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Raphael Varane (muscle injury), Jonny Evans (muscle injury), and Anthony Martial (groin) remain on the sidelines. Erik ten Hag provided a fitness update on a few players during his pre-match press conference.
The Manchester United manager said, “Scott? I don’t think so. We have training, so we have a day and he will push. He is so keen to be part of it tomorrow, but I think it is very questioning. And then Rashford… Rashy trained yesterday and [we will] see how he recovered from it today. We will have training again today and then we will make a decision on it.”
While Rashford has resumed training, he might not make it to the starting lineup, with Antony taking his place. The Brazilian international will feature on the right flank, with Alejandro Garnacho filling in for Rashford on the left wing. Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for the home side on Saturday.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot, especially with McTominay not fit enough to start. Meanwhile, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role.
The backline will not see a change, considering Erik ten Hag is down to his bare bones in the defensive department. So, Willy Kambwala will get another chance to impress, forming the central defensive partnership alongside Harry Maguire. Finally, Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be the two full-backs, with Andre Onana featuring between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Kambwala, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
