Some eyes were raised amongst Manchester United fans when lineups were announced ahead of their Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
It was surprising to see Marcus Rashford left on the bench, with Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad Diallo given the start amongst the front line instead.
According to head coach Erik ten Hag, there was nothing to worry about as they were simply rotating the squad, but there were worries of an injury behind the scenes.
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“It was not difficult [to leave Rashford out] because we need to rotate,” ten Hag said when asked about the change prior to the match. “Alejandro Garnacho also needs starts to get better and get power. Therefore, we rotate…he has only started one time this season.”
Rashford had just come off a match where he scored two goals and assisted another against Barnsley in a massive 7-0 victory in the third round of the EFL Cup, so his exclusion was surprising and raised caution amongst supporters. In fact, Rashford’s withdrawal for Garnacho was the only change amongst the XI from the Barnsley game.
However, rotation also makes logical sense. Rashford had started every single match for Manchester United so far this season, playing 464 total minutes from a possible 540. He was withdrawn in the 63rd minute of the Barnsley game in what appeared to be nothing more than a tactical switch with the Red Devils already up 5-0 at the time.
Rashford’s inclusion amongst the substitutes suggests he’s not carrying any fitness concerns, and he could enter in the second half if the Red Devils need an attacking injection.
