Why Marcus Rashford has been dropped for Manchester United against Chelsea

Marcus Rashford has been dropped from the Manchester United side to face Chelsea due to ‘rotational purposes’ ahead of their weekend clash with Liverpool.

United are back in Premier League action when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night and know they will need a huge improvement from their dreadful display against Brentford last weekend.

Ten Hag has made three changes for the match with Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Antony coming into the starting line up in place of Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay and Rashford respectively.

Rashford was particularly poor in the weekend draw with Brentford but manager Erik ten Hag insists he has only been dropped to the bench ‘to keep him and the team fresh through a busy period, with another big game on Sunday.’

United will be back in Premier League action when they host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, but will then have a week off before they face Bournemouth away from home in the same competition.

United XI vs Chelsea: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Antony, Garnacho, Hojlund Subs: Heaton, Evans, Kambwala, Amrabat, Eriksen, McTominay, Mount, Amad, Rashford.