Manager Erik ten Hag said Tuesday striker Marcus Rashford will return for Manchester United’s Champions League trip to FC Copenhagen after missing the weekend win at Fulham because of injury.
The England forward sat out the game at Craven Cottage due to a knock suffered in training, after being forced to apologise for attending a nightclub party following the Manchester City defeat on October 29.
“100 percent,” Ten Hag replied when asked if Rashford would be ready for Wednesday’s game in Denmark. “(He) missed one game with a small knock.”
Rashford’s form has dipped drastically this season. He has just a solitary goal in 14 matches, compared with 30 for the club last season, when he found a new level.
But Ten Hag has backed him to come good.
“Marcus is very committed to Manchester United. He’s investing hard work in training to get back into form,” said the Dutchman.
Rasmus Hojlund has yet to score in the Premier League since his £64 million ($78 million) move to United from Atalanta in August, but the Dane does have three goals in Europe.
He will come up against his former side at Parken Stadium, where he began his career before leaving for Austria’s Sturm Graz last year. Hojlund’s younger brother Oscar came on for Copenhagen late on at Old Trafford.
“As a team, we can be better in possession stuff, we can create more and better chances that will give our offensive players more opportunities to score goals,” said Ten Hag.
“He’s still a young player but he’s smart and understands the situation he’s in. He wants to score goals and he’s so keen and working very hard in training.”
Victor Lindelof is available again after illness but Casemiro remains out with a hamstring problem that could rule him out for the rest of the year.
Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are also still on the sidelines.
United needed goalkeeper Andre Onana to save a stoppage-time penalty at Old Trafford two weeks ago to preserve a 1-0 victory over Copenhagen.
Harry Maguire’s second-half header earned United their first points in Group A after they began the competition with back-to-back losses for the first time.
They are six points back of leaders Bayern Munich. Galatasaray, in second, are a point above United ahead of their visit to the German champions.
United need another win over the Danish champions to thrust themselves back into contention for a place in the last 16, but Neestrup insists it won’t be easy for them.
“For me, it’s not about hope. For me, it’s about strong belief that we can get a result,” said Neestrup, who felt there was nothing to separate the sides in the first meeting.
“I think the game over 95 minutes was totally equal and I expect the same tomorrow.”
The 35-year-old expects Copenhagen to be boosted by the Parken crowd as they try to lift themselves off the foot of the group, having taken just a point after three games.
“What can they expect? I would say with all the respect I felt when I stepped into Old Trafford, then I felt the historical atmosphere,” said Neestrup.
“But you can’t compare Old Trafford with Parken because the intensity is times 100 in terms of what we played in two weeks ago.
“Then this is a standard (that), for me, is way above Premier League, to be honest.”
Copenhagen defender Kevin Diks backed up his coach’s belief that his side can give United a night to forget.
“I am not saying that we are always favourites against them,” he said.
“But we have shown what we can do against them. We will see. But of course, I see us as favourites. It’s not about luck.”
Meanwhile, Copenhagen are still having to cope without William Clem (leg), David Khocholava (knee) and Birger Meling (muscle) due to injury, while Mohamed Elyounoussi is doubtful after missing the last match with an unspecified problem.
Valdemar Lund could be involved in the matchday squad on Wednesday after recovering from injury, but he is not expected to start ahead of centre-back duo Denis Vavro and Kevin Diks.
Oscar Hojlund and Emil Hojlund, the brothers of Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund, will both be pushing to start, with the former hoping to fend off competition from Diogo Goncalves to retain his place in centre-midfield alongside Rasmus Falk and Lukas Lerager.
As for Man United, Marcus Rashford (knock) and Victor Lindelof (illness) are both minor doubts after missing the win at Fulham, while Casemiro (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Luke Shaw (muscle), Amad Diallo (knee), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Jadon Sancho (disciplinary) are all unavailable for selection.
Ten Hag will consider recalling centre-back Raphael Varane and the Frenchman’s possible inclusion could therefore see Jonny Evans make way, while Diogo Dalot will again battle with Sergio Reguilon for a start at left-back if Aaron Wan-Bissaka continues at right-back.
Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Fernandes are all expected to retain their places in midfield, while Antony is at risk of being dropped following a poor run of form and could be replaced on the right flank by Facundo Pellistri.
Copenhagen possible starting lineup:
Grabara; Ankersen, Vavro, Diks, Jelert; Lerager, Falk, Goncalves; Larsson, Claesson, Achouri
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Eriksen; Pellistri, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
We say: Copenhagen 0-1 Manchester United
Copenhagen have looked strong on home soil in recent weeks and frustrated Bayern Munich for large spells in matchday two before ultimately losing 2-1 to the German side; nevertheless, a similar spirited display is required if they are to cause an upset against Man United.
A tight affair could be in store on Wednesday considering the Red Devils’ issues in the final third, but we believe that Ten Hag’s men will get the job done and battle their way to another narrow victory to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
