MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 10:42:26| >> :60:825:825:
[monks data]
Granada logo
Europa League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 8, 2021 at 8pm UK
Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes
Manchester United logo

Granada
0 - 2
Man Utd


Duarte (51'), Brice Eteki (89')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rashford (31'), Fernandes (90' pen.)
Pogba (8'), McTominay (40'), Shaw (43'), Maguire (72'), Matic (84')

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'I will not overplay Marcus Rashford'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'I will not overplay Marcus Rashford'
© Reuters
The forward is not fully fit after an ankle issue.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pledged not to overplay Marcus Rashford after naming the forward in Manchester United's squad to face Granada in the Europa League quarter-finals despite not being fully fit.

Having pulled out of the England squad with an ankle complaint, the 23-year-old limped off 72 minutes into Sunday's 2-1 Premier League win against Brighton at Old Trafford.

Rashford equalised with a lovely first-time finish shortly before going off having been caught in a tackle, leading him to reportedly miss training on Tuesday.

But Rashford trained on Wednesday morning and has been included in the 24-man squad heading to Spain for the first leg of the Europa League last-eight clash.

Marcus Rashford came off in discomfort against Brighton on Sunday
Marcus Rashford came off in discomfort against Brighton on Sunday (Oli Scarff/PA)

"I can't disclose the team now," Solskjaer said.

"Marcus is travelling and we've just got to make a decision tomorrow if he starts or if he's on the bench.

"I don't think he'll be a 90-minute man so let's see where he's at tomorrow."

Rashford missed a chunk of time last year with a back injury that he had been managing, while he is said to be dealing with a shoulder issue that might need an operation after this summer's Euros.

"I don't pick players when we know there's a risk," Solskjaer said. "Of course there's always a risk when you step onto the pitch and when you play football.

"But if the physios and the medical advice is that 'this is too much of a risk to play him', I will never ever play a player that we, in advance, know about if it's going to make it worse or if it's a serious one.

"Marcus joined in training this morning so let's see how he reacts. If there's any risk of making this worse, I'm not going to overplay him.

"His back has recovered. But he's a tough one and he wants to play, he wants to give his all for Man United and it's also a responsibility for the player to tell us, as he did on Sunday. He said: 'no, it's too sore, I've got to come off'."

Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial are out of Thursday's game
Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial are out of Thursday's game (Catherine Ivill/NMC Pool)

Anthony Martial will miss the trip to Spain and potentially the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Eric Bailly is still in the Ivory Coast following a positive Covid-19 test.

Juan Mata is back involved and Solskjaer confirmed that 18-year-old Anthony Elanga, who he believes offers "some X factor", will be on the bench for the first time after injury delayed his promotion.

But the United boss was less forthcoming on his starting goalkeeper against Granada after Dean Henderson got the nod versus Brighton.

David De Gea's last appearance came on February 28 after being allowed to return to Spain for the birth of his first child, but he has since watched the last three matches from the bench.

David De Gea and Dean Henderson are competing for the number one spot
David De Gea and Dean Henderson are competing for the number one spot (Laurence Griffiths/PA)

"I've got two very, very good options and whoever plays will play well I'm sure," Solskjaer said.

"I cannot prioritise league, Europa League – every game here is the most important one. The next one is the most important one.

"Every time I try to explain to players why they don't play in this particular game and what they need to do and what my plans are with them, all those discussions remain private of course.

"David's been a top, top keeper and he still is a top, top keeper. He's working to be ready when he plays.

"If it's Dean, David, I'm very comfortable with both of them to play and I'm very happy that none of them are happy to not play.

"When you're a part of Man United, there's always going to be players coming in and players who don't just come in to fill the bench or to fill the squad. Everyone's got ambition to take your shirt.

"I was there myself as a striker. We signed Ruud (Van Nistelrooy), Diego Forlan, Louis Saha – we signed loads of top strikers. Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham.

"The aim for me then is to prove to the manager that 'OK, I don't mind you signing these but I'm still important for you, I'm still going to give everything I can to play'. It's the same – right-back, left-back, centre forward, goalkeeper."

ID:442202: cacheID:442202:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:17296:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on March 6, 2021
Read Next:
Five talking points ahead of this week's Europa League action
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio651016
2Athletic Bilbao651016
3Anderlecht642014
4Lyon641113
5Frankfurt641113
6Galatasaray633012
7Man Utd633012
8Rangers632111
9Spurs632111
10FCSB632111
11Real Sociedad631210
12Ajax631210
13Bodo/Glimt631210
14Roma62319
15Olympiacos62319
16Ferencvaros63039
17Plzen62319
18AZ62228
19Fenerbahce62228
20Porto62228
21Union SG62228
22Braga62137
23Elfsborg62137
24PAOK62137
25Midtjylland62137
26M. Tel Aviv62046
27Hoffenheim61326
28Besiktas62046
29Slavia Prague61144
30FC Twente60424
31Malmo61144
32Ludogorets60333
33Qarabag61053
34RFS60242
35Nice60242
36Dynamo Kiev60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!