Manchester United face AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium tonight in a Premier League encounter that, in essence, has little riding on it, over and above United keen to finish second and Bournemouth all but secure that they will be playing Premier League football again next season.
However, fresh off the back of a desperate 0-1 reversal at the hand of bottom club West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United will want to find some form and momentum to take them into their FA Cup Semi Final clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday – this being their final chance to rescue some silverware from what has been a frustrating season overall for the Red Devils.
We have identified three players for Manchester United that are likely to start against Bournemouth – but whom must impress boss Jose Mourinho if they want to make the starting XI at Wembley.
MARCUS RASHFORD
Rashford is the darling of the Stretford End, being a Red Devil through and through and has impressed with some virtuoso performances for one of such a tender age. Despite this though , he has found himself on the periphery of the starting line up recently and is one that Mourinho doesn’t seem to trust for a full 90 minutes – he has only completed one full match so far in 2018. He has also seemed frustrated at his apparent lack of opportunity at Old Trafford. Rashford looks likely to start for Manchester United tonight and if he wants to get the nod at Wembley, will need to show all his talents and work ethic – as well as ensure he is part of the England squad for Russia and the 2018 World Cup.
ANTHONY MARTIAL
Seems to be in the same boat as Rashford – Martial is hugely talented but quite enigmatic and seen his playing time limited since the arrival at Manchester United of Alexis Sanchez. But Sanchez himself has not exactly set Old Trafford on fire and a performance against Bournemouth tonight could yet see Mourinho give the flambouyant Frenchmen a Wembley start over the cold Chilean. Martial was earlier this week given a boost by hearing Mourinho say that he was still very much part of his plans – hopefully for all United fans, Martial can deliver the kind of performance we all know he is capable of.
VICTOR LINDELOF
The Swede arrived at Old Trafford last summer with a huge reputation but seemed to struggle under the weight of expectation and standard by playing in the Manchester United uniform. He has slowly improved but is fighting for his centre half life with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly. He will be keen to step out onto the Wembley turf for United against Spurs, but must first help keep the door firmly closed on the pacy Cherries attack tonight if he is to make the starting Manchester United lineup on Saturday.
DO YOU AGREE? WOULD YOU START THE ABOVE AGAINST SPURS? IF NOT, WHO? LET US KNOW BELOW!