Marcus Rashford is a known threat against Manchester City and will be hungry to impress on Sunday afternoon.
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Manchester City know very well what they are coming up against in Marcus Rashford on Sunday afternoon. They have faced him on 23 occasions, with Rashford more often coming out the winner than the loser. In previous meetings, there have been 14 draws, but City have won just twice when playing against Rashford.
Rashford has netted seven goals and one assist against Manchester City, perhaps his best being his last in a United shirt in 2023/24. Bruno Fernandes brought down a long ball, fought off Ruben Dias and slipped it back to Rashford 30 yards from goal, before the England international belted it in off the crossbar.
Had you asked Manchester United fans this summer if they thought Rashford would be back in a red shirt this season, many would have laughed at the question, never mind offering the opinion that Rashford could return. However, that is the situation, and so far, it seems to be going quite well.
Marcus Rashford key to Man Utd
With Manchester United struggling against Hull City, Michael Carrick turned to Marcus Rashford after just 45 minutes on the opening day. The left winger could not spur the Red Devils to victory, but he looked the only real threat in a white shirt at the MKM Stadium.
His 45-minute cameo earned him a start against Ipswich Town on the left wing, with Matheus Cunha continuing through the middle. Rashford did not score or assist, but he came close when the two switched positions, and Cunha played a ball through the six-yard box. United's new No.9 stretched but couldn't quite reach it as the cross skipped off a wet Old Trafford surface, but the effort was cheered on by Manchester United fans.
When it was realised Rashford would stay at Old Trafford this season, some were concerned about the reception Rashford would receive on a matchday, but so far, it has only been positive.
Against Everton, Rashford was once again United's biggest threat. Merlin Rohl, who has been forced to play right-back due to the lack of business at Hill Dickinson, could not handle the former Barcelona loanee and was notably bullied when Rashford skipped through in the second half before playing it back to Matheus Cunha. James Tarkowski denied the Brazilian with a slide tackle through his legs, but Rashford stole the show again.
After a rest against Sabah FK, Rashford is likely to start against Manchester City this weekend, as Carrick confirmed it was just a precaution not to play him on Thursday.
"A little bit of that, yeah, and trying to share the load a little bit, to a point, as well," Carrick said after the 4-0 win.
"We've got good options, so we're trying to keep everyone fresh, but with a point where Ben [Šeško] can get good minutes tonight [against Sabah] and get him up to speed.
"There's always a bit of a challenge in getting that right, but it was nice to keep Marcus fresh and ready for the weekend."
Fresh off a dominant European win, Michael Carrick faces a selection dilemma at Old Trafford as injury concerns and fatigue shadow his lineup choices for the derby.roundtable.ioRashford & Šeško Start: Man Utd Predicted XI vs Man City (Premier League)
Fresh off a dominant European win, Michael Carrick faces a selection dilemma at Old Trafford as injury concerns and fatigue shadow his lineup choices for the derby.
Who misses out for Rashford?
Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško netted against Sabah FK on Thursday evening, with Cunha returning to his more natural left-wing position. Patrick Dorgu's inclusion at left-back allowed the former Wolves attacker to drift inside for his first goal in the six-yard box.
Šeško's effort against Sabah means goals in back-to-back games for the Slovenian, which could see him given the nod against Manchester City this weekend.
Rashford has created eight chances this season and has been a regular crosser into the box. With Cunha through the middle, his balls have failed to reach a target, but if Šeško is chosen to start, Rashford will have a clear focal point – which could prove critical.
Manchester United's success against their city rivals in recent years has come from counterattacks. Rashford and Šeško have the speed to leave the City defenders behind from a Bruno Fernandes through ball, while Cunha prefers to combine in the pockets.
The Brazilian will be the right choice for many games this season, but it should be Rashford and Šeško against City.