Erik ten Hag is set to make a brave call by not gambling on Marcus Rashford's fitness for Thursday night's clash against Sevilla.
Manchester United take on the Spanish club at Old Trafford in the first leg of their Europa League tie. Rashford has scored 28 goals for the Red Devils this season, and the England international would've been confident of adding to his tally against Sevilla.
Yet Rashford sustained a groin injury in last Saturday's 2-0 win against Everton. Ten Hag is unwilling to risk his talisman at Old Trafford, despite it being one of United's biggest games of the season. It is the type of fixture where taking a risk would be appropriate.
Back in January, Ten Hag frustrated Rashford by subbing him off during the 3-1 win against Reading. That switch denied the prolific forward the chance of scoring in 10 consecutive games at Old Trafford, which would've been a club record.
United captain Harry Maguire was asked for his opinion on the matter. He said, "Yes it was obviously disappointing for him. I think he’d have been really wanting that record and then the manager subbed him off and I’m sure he wasn’t happy with that either.
"Listen, there’s bigger things to win. Although records are nice, it’s a team sport and we need Marcus. Our team needs Marcus fit and ready for these big games coming up. So it’s probably a wise decision from the manager."
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Yet one of those "bigger things to win" is the Europa League... and Rashford is expected to be sat in the stands. It's a decision which the 25-year-old will understand, but one that could backfire if United fail to take a lead to Seville for the second leg next week.
Rashford will also be frustrated if United struggle without him. That is a possibility, as the rest of Ten Hag's squad have battled for goals this season. Their next highest scorer is Bruno Fernandes with 10 goals. Antony, for example, has found the net just seven times.
Rashford went for a scan on his groin injury on Tuesday and the news is good, yet Ten Hag does not want to risk losing him at such a crucial stage in the season. It's Rashford's second injury in a month after he missed the recent international break with a knock.
After United's win against Everton, reporters asked Ten Hag about Rashford's condition. The United boss replied, "I can’t say at this moment. Obviously he went off and we have to wait for the diagnosis and we will see."
Ten Hag will confirm for sure whether Rashford will be available for Thursday night's game when he speaks to the press on Wednesday afternoon.
On a more positive note for United, Casemiro is available - as his four-match suspension does not count in Europe. Christian Eriksen will also be pushing for a start alongside Casemiro after making his comeback from a serious ankle injury during the win against Everton.
