Erik ten Hag will hope Marcus Rashford is fit to start when Manchester United travel to Bournemouth in Saturday’s Premier League game.
The attacker missed last weekend’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a knock and it was expected Rashford would be out for a few weeks. However, the 25-year-old returned to training during the week and was thought to be an option to start at the Vitality. Yet, fresh doubt emerged on Friday about Rashford’s involvement, after Ten Hag said he was suffering with an illness.
If he comes into the team, it will likely be at the expense of Jadon Sancho or Anthony Martial. Both had good moments in the victory against Wolves, with Martial scoring and Sancho - who was this week valued at £52m by CIES Football Observatory’s price estimation tool - produced a few dangerous runs.
However, neither imposed themselves over 90 minutes and it’s likely one will come out instead of Antony, if Rashford is fit.
Elsewhere, Tom Heaton and Scott McTominay were also pictured back at Carrington after spells on the sidelines but won’t return to the starting line-up against Bournemouth. Donny van de Beek returned to the grass as well although he won’t play again this season due to a long-term knee injury. Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are also unavailable for the Red Devils.
Ten Hag’s team selection does seem to pick itself to a certain extent this weekend, but right-back is one other area where the United boss could make a change.
With all this in mind, here’s how we think Ten Hag will line up on Saturday in a rare 3pm kick-off.
1. GK: David de Gea
Confirmed as the Premier League’s Golden Glove winner last week, but still needs to win the award outright.
2. RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Has established himself as Ten Hag’s first choice at right-back, although Diogo Dalot does sometimes come in for games where United are expected to have more of the ball.
3. CB: Raphael Varane
Played well last week on his return to the team.
4. CB: Victor Lindelof
Will play with Martinez out, and Lindelof is preferred to Harry Maguire at present.