Marcus Rashford was delighted to have “brothers” Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial back in the Manchester United squad on Wednesday night.
Sancho and Martial both returned from injury by coming off the substitutes’ bench as United booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Erik ten Hag’s side came into the second leg with a 3-0 lead but struggled to fashion chances before a triple substitution changed the game.
Ten Hag brought on Rashford, Martial and Sancho in the 63rd minute and was soon rewarded, with Martial rifling a loose ball into the bottom corner to break the deadlock. Rashford then used Bruno Fernandes ’ cross to set up a tap-in for Fred to make it 2-0 and seal a trip to Wembley, where United will face Newcastle on February 26.
The result was made even sweeter by the return from injury of two United stars. Sancho, who came on for Antony, was making his first appearance since October 1, while Martial replaced Wout Weghorst to play for the first time since mid-January.
Rashford has been in stellar form since the World Cup – and he enjoyed playing alongside his team-mates for the first time this year. Posting a picture of himself celebrating alongside Martial after he scored on Instagram, he wrote: “Good to have you back my bro”.
He also posted another photo with Sancho also in it and added: “My brothers by my side”. Ten Hag was similarly delighted to have Sancho back fit, sharing a joke with the winger as he entered the pitch.
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Sancho has three goals and one assist in 15 games this season, but Ten Hag is hoping the 22-year-old can produce much more now he’s back in the side. The Dutchman played the England international in a more central position against Forest and believes he can offer more in that role going forward.
"I thought it was great, the fans, they gave him love and I think he enjoyed it. He enjoyed it, to be back on the pitch. I've seen in the last couple of weeks at Carrington smiling," Ten Hag said post-match.
"I hope he can keep the process going and have a huge contribution to the season. With Jadon, I know he can play as a No.10 as well, he can play as a winger, he can play as a No.10. But I think we mix it around often and that is what I like.
"But the position has to be occupied, it is about that. And players have to keep the discipline to do that, otherwise it is going to be a mess.
"I think it was professional how we played, but the tempo was too low, too slow and we didn't create chances. I think we needed the impact from the bench today.”
