Erik ten Hag can probably rely on Marcus Rashford in the Manchester derby. The United coach, on the other hand, has to do without his captain.
The city derby takes place in Manchester on Sunday afternoon (3 p.m.). The Skyblues receive the Red Devils. Man United are fifth, five paces behind their city rivals in second but still have a game to play.
It was still questionable whether coach Erik ten Hag could rely on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial against City. However, the striker duo trained with the team on Friday. The Times reported on Thursday that both could be out on Sunday.
Ten Hag replied at the pre-match press conference: “Anthony Martial has been training with the group all week, I’m very happy with this situation. Marcus Rashford has also been in training, so we’re happy with that,” said the Dutchman .
A fit Rashford in particular would be very important for Man United. The 24-year-old seems to have gotten back on track after a poor pre-season. Rashford has three goals and two assists in the last four Premier League games before the international break. He was instrumental in the upswing of the Red Devils.
However, the English record champions have to do without Harry Maguire, who made an extremely unfortunate impression in the Nations League game against Germany on Monday. But even a fit Maguire would probably not have been in the starting XI. The captain lost his regular place after the first two matchdays – the central defender duo Varane and Lisandro Martinez are now seeded.
“I support him because I believe in him. I can see his quality. The quality is there. He has almost 50 caps for England and has great potential. So it’s about him. We all believe in him,” he said ten Hag still ahead of Maguire.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Manchester derby: United hope for Rashford – Maguire out.
