Marcus Rashford won't be available for the match between Manchester United and Sevilla, but Anthony Martial and Casemiro will.
When Manchester United host Sevilla at Old Trafford on Thursday night, the Red Devils will look to move one step closer to the UEFA Europa League semifinals. Erik ten Hag's preparations for his team's most recent match are also being hampered by a new problem.
Due to a groin injury, Marcus Rashford is the most prominent absence. The Englishman won't be playing for a while and will miss the upcoming matches. However, there is some good news: Casemiro will make a comeback after serving his Premier League suspension.
Alejandro Garnacho, Van de Beek, Luke Shaw, and Tom Heaton, though, continue to watch from the sidelines. Rashford's injury was discussed by ten Hag during his pre-game press conference. He added that Anthony Martial, who has played a few minutes off the bench, is prepared to start.
The Dutchman said, “He [Rashford] is optimistic and he has started straight on his recovery and his rehab. That helps him to get back soon. It’s a few games. I can’t give more details because we have to see how the injury develops.”
On Martial, ten Hag said, “I think he is ready to start a game, yeah. I think already against Everton he was ready to start the game. But I have to say that the front line against Brentford and Everton worked really well.”
“We were continually a threat and it was difficult for the opponent to defend. The advantage was also that we could bring Anthony Martial slowly back into the team, give him some minutes and get him used to games at the highest level, and highest intensity.”
Due to Rashford's injury, Ten Hag will be obliged to make one alteration. The Frenchman should be replaced by Martial, who will take over as the team's center striker. The two wide attackers will be Jadon Sancho and Antony, with Bruno Fernandes returning to the no. 10 position.
Due to his availability, Casemiro is a given to start in the double pivot. The Brazilian should join Marcel Sabitzer in the center of the park. So the reserve midfield options will include Fred and Christian Eriksen.
Ten Hag should adjust the defense unit in a few ways. In the central defensive partnership, Harry Maguire will be replaced by Raphael Varane. And it's expected that Diogo Dalot will replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right back. Last but not least, Tyrell Malacia will start in place of Shaw, with David de Gea beginning in goal.
Man United's starting eleven
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Sabitzer; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho; Martial
Meanwhile, it's Erik Ten Hag's 50th game in charge as manager at Old Trafford and the 53 year old is upbeat and wants his players to bring their best to the pitch when they lineup against Sevilla on Thursday night.
Reacting to the reporter pointing out that he is set to manage his 50th game as a Man United's manager which shows how many victories he has helped the 20 times Premier League Champions record whilst not even close to a year after he was appointed as manager.
“Yeah," he replied. "But I think that is what Manchester United stands for. We want to compete, we want to win every game and that has to be our culture, to win every game and that is what we have done throughout the whole season and that's why now we are where we are now."
"We are in the situation where we have already collected one cup but we want to get more. We are in the position to do it so we have to compete and we have to battle for it.”
Regarding Thursday night opponent who have had a bad season so far, with the La Liga outfit playing under their third manager this campaign Erik Ten Hag is not taking them for granted as he stressed that they hold are record holders in the Europa League competition.
"Absolutely and we are fully aware of it: how good they are. They have the record of Europa League winners and if you want to beat them, you have to give your best performance and you have to do it in two legs. First we have to start tomorrow and we need a good result and that result is only a winning result. We are fully aware of that and we have to give our best.”
The 53 year old manager is as well delighted with several of his injured and suspended stars returning to the squad, Casemiro is available but would need to tread carefully on Thursday night as he is one booking away from suspension. Christian Eriksen could make a return to the starting eleven while Erik Ten Hag had already claimed Anthony Martial is fit to start a game.
However Marcus Rashford is set to miss out for some weeks due to groin related injury but Erik Ten Hag is positive that the rest of the squad can get the job done without the club's top scorer this season.
“He is doing good. [The] progress we are happy with, but he is not ready for tomorrow's game against Sevilla. Hopefully he will return quickly.”
In Marcus's absence, are you confident in the attacking talent we've got to cover that? Asked a reporter.
“Yes, we have a squad. We have squad depth and we can replace [him]. Of course when players fell away, [we can] bring in other qualities into the team and as a team you have to adjust. Maybe go a little bit different but still we know what we have to do. We have to win games and we want to win in an adventurous and proactive way.”
“That's what I mean, so that's the very good news, that we have players that drop out, other players are then returning and quality players are returning. So yeah we are happy with it and I think those players are full of energy, they are highly motivated because they fell out [of the squad] for certain reasons for a couple of games. So they are returning back and they want to contribute."
"We are in the right position as a team. We are competing in three competitions, we can win everything in those competitions and we go to the end of the season. This is the situation you want to be in and the players want that as well. They want to be in the team, they want to collect trophies so they will give their best.”
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