Is Marcus Rashford playing vs Newcastle? Latest injury news on Man United star’s fitness for Carabao Cup final
Manchester United and Newcastle meet in the final of the 2022/23 Carabao Cup at Wembley on 26 February in the first major final of the English football calendar.
Both sides are pushing to end their long waits for a trophy, dating back to 2017 and 1955 respectively, with Erik ten Hag and Eddie Howe under pressure to deliver silverware this season.
The Magpies were rocked by the absence of the suspended Nick Pope in the final, with former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius set to step in, but Bruno Guimaraes is back in the squad.
However, United’s injury worries are centered squarely on key man Marcus Rashford as the England star struggles with an ankle injury ahead of the final.
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Marcus Rashford’s latest injury
Rashford was substituted in the closing minutes of United’s 2-1 Europa League Round of 16 play-off win over Barcelona in midweek after complaining to the United bench about an ankle problem.
Ten Hag opted to retire the 25-year-old when United went over the line at Old Trafford but his place in the final is now in doubt.
Rashford’s fitness was a key issue in Ten Hag’s pre-match press conference and the Dutchman admitted he’s not sure he can recover in time as a last-minute decision is expected.
“I don’t know,” said Ten Hag when asked if Rashford would be ready in time.
“The players are coming in now, we have to do medical examinations, of course, we did that yesterday. So right after a game you can’t usually say, you have to wait for a 100 percent diagnosis. So let’s do it.” Do the medicine, do the work, we’ll have to wait.”
Rashford is expected to travel to Wembley with the squad and could be called on the bench if Ten Hag is advised not to start him against Howe’s side.
Who could replace Rashford at Wembley?
No Rashford at Wembley would be a huge blow to Ten Hag’s plans as France international Anthony Martial is already out with a groin problem.
Ten Hag has rotated Rashford’s starting position in recent weeks, switching between a central role and a left from a front three behind Wout Weghorst.
With Weghorst expected to lead United’s attack again – regardless of Rashford’s fitness – the option of a replacement is rife.
Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are the most likely to fill in, with the former scoring the winner off the bench against Barcelona when Ten Hag changes his front line.
If Rashford is out from the start, Jadon Sancho could switch left with Bruno Fernandes at No. 10 to support Antony in his preferred right slot.
Marcus Rashford’s 2022/23 season so far
Rashford has been in sensational form since returning to United after the 2022 World Cup, with 16 goals in his last 18 games – more than any other player in Europe’s top leagues in 2023 – with 24 overall in 2022/23.
His consistent form has been a catalyst for United, who are in contention for four potential trophies this season. The Mancunian man admits he feels fitter and more confident than ever in his career and United fans are praying he can recover in time to face Newcastle.