It has been a long wait for Rashford, who has not played for almost three months now due to shoulder surgery.
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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided a fitness update on Marcus Rashford, saying the English forward is raring to go. It has been a long wait for Rashford, who has not played for almost three months now due to shoulder surgery. The manager believes that Rashford and Amad might realistically be available only after the international break. “They’re still a few weeks away so, hopefully after the international break, they could be available. They’re working hard, both of them positive, and it’s been a long, long time for Marcus of course. Probably the longest he’s been out but he’s needed it. He looks raring to go, happy and he knows he’s missed out on the pre-season, but he’s done loads of good conditioning work and he should be ready soon,” Ole told club media.
Besides, Solskjaer is eagerly looking forward to the first European night of the season at Old Trafford. When Villarreal visit the red half of Manchester, it will be a repeat of last season’s Europa League final, which the Red Devils lost on penalties. Following an opening match defeat to Young Boys in Switzerland in this Champions League season, Solskjaer underlined the importance of the team picking up all three points in front of the home crowd.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is suspended after getting a straight red card in the group opener. With skipper, Harry Maguire, more or less out and doubts remain over Luke Shaw’s participation, there might be a major reshuffle at the back of United’s defence. “Yes, it has to be but as I said, as I started [this interview] with, that’s why we have a big squad of good players and I’m sure we’ll get a good performance from the ones who will be selected,” Ole asserted.
Speaking about Villarreal, Solskjaer said, “They’re a very well organised team, very hard to beat. Obviously we’ve played them five times as a club and every game’s ended up a draw after full-time or extra time. Of course it was disappointing to lose the penalty shootout. It’s indicative of them and the results they’ve had since the final as well. There have been so many tight games and I don’t think they’ve lost since they played us. They beat Elche but apart from that, it’s just been draws, with Atletico Madrid, with Atalanta, with Chelsea in the Super Cup final. It’s always tight games against them.”
When asked about the importance of getting the three points in the context of this group, Ole replied, “Yeah, definitely. We had a disappointing start. When you get a man sent off, it always makes it difficult and we couldn’t hold out for one point or three points. And they drew at home, which probably puts them under pressure a little bit to get points and results, so it should be tight and a good game.”
Speaking about playing under the floodlights at Old Trafford, Ole said, “Nothing better, they’re the best games. Floodlights, hopefully a little bit of drizzle, fans always spectacular, the atmosphere will be electric, we know that so it’s up to us to play well enough for the crowd to enjoy as well.”
