Marcus Rashford is back in Manchester United training and will provide vital impetus for the game against Chelsea
The England striker has recovered from illness and injury and is aiming to reach 30 Champions League goals.
Marcus Rashford is back in Manchester United training ahead of his penultimate Premier League game of the season against Chelsea.
The England striker is expected to be fit and available for Thursday night’s rescheduled match at Old Trafford after being given a probation by manager Erik ten Hag at Carrington on Tuesday.
United also host Fulham on the final day of the season this weekend and, after narrowly beating Bournemouth in their last game and continuing Liverpool’s draw with Aston Villa, need just one point from those two home games to secure a place in the top four to secure a return to the Champions League next season.
Rashford’s return will be a huge boost for Ten Hag as he missed the recent win over Wolves after initially picking up a leg injury in the loss to West Ham on May 7.
He looked set to return against Bournemouth but then had to miss the trip to the south coast through illness, which United won 1-0 thanks to Casemiro’s header.
The Red Devils will also play an all-Manchester FA Cup final against Premier League champions City on June 3 at Wembley Stadium. “Rashy, he’s been training all week, but today he reported not feeling well and sick,” Ten Hag said on Friday. “We will have to see how he recovers during the day and then see tomorrow.”
Rashford has had a great season so far in 2022-23, scoring 29 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions. He needs just one more goal to become the first United player to score 30 goals in a single season since Robin van Persie in 2012/13, Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge.
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The 25-year-old missed last weekend’s victory over Wolves with a leg injury but returned to training this week and is expected to compete for United’s match at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
However, during his pre-match press conference, Erik ten Hag revealed that Rashford is now ill and therefore dubious.
“Rashy has been training well all week, but he reported being ill today,” the United boss told reporters.
“We have to see how it recovers during the day and tomorrow.”
Liverpool’s seven-game winning streak has added pressure on United as they look for a top-four finish, but Ten Hag’s side are still a point clear of their rivals, with a game in hand to go home against Chelsea.
Should Champions League football be assured, attention will turn to the FA Cup final early next month, with United tasked with derailing Manchester City’s treble bid and ensuring Pep Guardiola’s side you replicate the club’s famous 1999 performances they can’t match. When asked about the need to reach City’s level in the longer term, Ten Hag insisted his main focus was on the short term and making sure United didn’t slip down the road again this weekend, having won just two of the games. last nine games won. away from home. in all competitions.
“When I see this project, it’s first of all important to get into the Champions League,” said Ten Hag.
“I’m watching the next game, Bournemouth, we have to win that game to get into the Champions League. Focus on the game, the games ahead, the first game is the most important.
“I think Bournemouth are a really brilliant club. Three games from the end of the season, they are definitely in the Premier League next season. It is enormous. You can see clear patterns, well done.”
