Manchester United are preparing for their final four games of the Premier League season, with the Red Devils facing stiff competition from Liverpool in this campaign's heated top-four race. With that in mind, Ten Hag has been handed both a huge injury boost and a potentially devastating blow ahead of their final run-in.
The Red Devils are in action on Saturday to host Wolves in one of three home games between now and the end of the Premier League season. The starting lineup was unveiled an hour before kick and it confirmed what many fans had hoped to be true: Raphael Varane has returned for the final few games of the campaign.
The Frenchman has been one of many key players to have picked up an injury, joining Lisandro Martinez on the treatment table. Since then, the English giants have struggled in the league, dropping points in three out of their last five games.
Fortunately, the former Real Madrid center-back has returned, and not only that, but the World Cup winner has also gone straight back into Ten Hag's lineup. Unfortunately, the joy was cut short as Marcus Rashford was left out of the squad.
It was reported a while earlier that the Englishman was struggling with a leg injury but Saturday's lineup was what confirmed this. The Three Lions ace, who has been one of the most influential attackers in front of goal in Europe this season, could not even make the bench.
Speaking ahead of the Wolves game, Ten Hag refused to offer insight into the extent of Marcus' injury and the length of his absence. Nonetheless, losing your top scorer during the final four games of the season is gut-wrenching.
Eric Ten Hag refused to give much additional info on Marcus Rashford's injury/likely lay off pre match to @BBCMOTD - "hopeful" he's back soon. #bbcfootball
— Kelly Somers (@KellySomers) May 13, 2023
Rashford has scored 32.6% of Manchester United's Premier League goals and will be a huge miss if he is unavailable for the remaining fixtures. Nonetheless, the Red Devils have a one-point advantage over fifth-placed Liverpool and have a game in hand, meaning they ultimately control their fate.
#MUFC line-up v 4-2-3-1
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) May 13, 2023
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Martial
No Rashford in squad - 32.6% of United's Premier League goals.
After the clash with Wolves, the 20-time English champions face Bournemouth, Chelsea, and Fulham. Liverpool, on the other hand, face Leicester, Aston Villa, and Southampton.