The latest Manchester United news as the forward has established himself as a key part of Unai Emery’s team.
Marcus Rashford will not feature for Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace.(Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)
Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has been forced to miss Aston Villa’s FA Cup semi-final due to injury.
The forward signed for Unai Emery’s side on loan until the end of the season in the January transfer window having fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim. He has had a big impact at Villa Park and quickly established himself as a key part of team pushing for Champions League football next season.
Rashford was expected to be selected ahead of Ollie Watkins in the central striker role for Villa in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace (5.15pm kick-off). He was, however, no where to be seen in the squad.
BirminghamLive report that his absence is due to injury, with Emery expected to give more detail in his post-match press conference. Following the game against Palace, Villa have four Premier League games and a possible FA Cup final remaining.
Speaking ahead of the match, Emery gave no indication of an injury when talking about the competition between Rashford and Watkins. “You always need two strikers and being versatile is better,” he said.
“Rashford is versatile. I want to have players like these two as we try to get to the level we want.
“I want to have players like these two as we try to get to the level we want.
“I like to have players in the squad at the level those two have shown us. My job is to share the playing time between both, manage the person as well as the professional, as well as the tactical idea and my selection for each match.
“I want to have the same selection problems I have had in the last matches we have played. Some players will be on the bench but they are very important and they have showed it this season by making an impact.
“That’s what I want. I had more problems when I didn’t have enough players to play at the level I wanted. Now I have enough to compete at this level and we can see the difference between how we are now and how we were six months ago.”
Watkins will look to take advantage of the opportunity to put himself ahead of Rashford in the pecking order.
Rashford’s injury will be a situation that United will be keeping a close eye on ahead of the summer transfer window, with the player expected to leave Old Trafford.
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