Manchester United visit Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Saturday (October 16) afternoon and their matchday squad may see Marcus Rashford return for the first time this season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been a mixed bag of late and the return of the England international would be a welcome boost.
Manchester United Latest: Marcus Rashford Return Gives Reason to Be Excited
Marcus Rashford Return
Rashford has resumed full training with Manchester United and last week featured in a-behind-closed-doors friendly v Blackburn Rovers. He is said to have scored twice in the game, according to The Athletic reporter Laurie Whitwell.
It is highly unlikely Rashford, who contributed to 36 goals in 57 appearances for Manchester United in 2020/21, will be thrown straight back into the starting 11. Manchester United will nurse him back in but, if available, this could begin with a substitute appearance v Leicester City.
Rashford has been absent throughout the whole season so far having had surgery on a long-standing shoulder injury following the conclusion of Euro 2020, where England were runners-up.
The 23-year-old was not at his best last season and playing with injury could certainly excuse that but even so, he managed to score 21 goals, assisting a further 15.
If that’s Marcus Rashford’s level on a bad day, then the rest of the Premier League are dreading the numbers he can deliver when all is fine.
Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City haven’t exactly been in rude health this season either and might not want to see United’s number ten feature.
U21s Exit Papa John’s Trophy
Manchester United’s U21s exited the Papa John’s Trophy last night. It was the first time the club have been eliminated at the group stage since their first involvement in the tournament.
Despite beating Bradford City 3-0 prior to last night’s encounter with Sunderland, one win and two losses weren’t enough. Both sides United failed to beat – Lincoln City and Sunderland – progressed.
It was a mixed game for the Red Devils, who definitely should have scored more goals against a weakened Sunderland outfit, but the Black Cats took their chances a lot better than the reds and will continue on the road to Wembley.
There are positives to take from this year’s campaign and last night too with Zidane Iqbal’s strike as perfectly placed as they come.
Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Jacob Carney, 20, who joined Sunderland this summer, had a special night, making his first-team debut against his former club.
Manchester United Women Face Durham Trip in Conti Cup
Elsewhere, Manchester United Women will kick-off their Conti Cup campaign away at Durham tonight (October 14).
Head coach Marc Skinner is “looking forward to the challenge” and is quoted by the club as saying they “won’t take this competition lightly.”
The game follows a 2-2 Manchester derby draw at the weekend, which was attended at Leigh Sports Village by 3,797 supporters.
Manchester United sit fourth in the Women’s Super League, two points shy of Tottenham Hotspur Women – their next league opponents – in the Champions League places.
Gone are the days of Manchester United Women lacking representation with the England national team setup, Sarina Wiegman has called up five reds for the next two fixtures with Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, Katie Zelem, Lucy Staniforth and Mary Earps all included in the squad.
Harry Maguire on Return and Dilemma for South American Pair Dilemma
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has provided an update on his injury, he told manutd.com: “Yeah, it’s getting there.
“I still haven’t trained yet with the squad, but I am getting better, I am progressing as I should be.
“It’s obviously a frustrating injury for me to get, but I am progressing and I will be back on the pitch soon.”
The Red Devils couldn’t be more eager for his return after Raphael Varane was injured on international duty with France.
Edinson Cavani and Fred play each other as Uruguay and Brazil meet in the early hours (UK time) of Friday (October 15) morning in South America. It is unlikely either will return in time to face Leicester City on Saturday.
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