Summary
Manchester United’s season concludes today.
The FA Cup final against their nosy neighbors, Manchester City, could be the culmination of a startling campaign.
Nevertheless, this is not solely a game to win a trophy; it is nearly certain that it will be Erik ten Hag’s final game in command.
Regrettably, history is not entirely on his side, as he was defeated in this exact situation last season.
United are undoubtedly the underdogs; however, there is one player who has the potential to conclude the Ducthman’s tenure at the club with a flourish.
This individual will replace Amad Diallo in the team.
The reason for Amad Diallo’s departure from the side It is undeniable:
In the past few weeks, Amad has emerged as one of United’s most influential players.
For the first time in his career, the number 16 player started three consecutive Premier League games, and he scored and assisted in one of those games against Newcastle United.
While it is unfortunate that a pre-season injury derailed the majority of his campaign, he has ultimately demonstrated his abilities in his nine league appearances.
Ten Hag’s adept winger will be optimistic about his prospects of being included in the starting lineup today, and the United supporters will also anticipate his inclusion from the outset.
However, the 21-year-old will be displaced from the team as a result of the necessity of one player’s return.
The rationale behind the necessity for Ten Hag to unleash Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford was once regarded as a “future legend” of Man United by football analyst Jacek Kulig, but he is now likely the most criticized player in the squad.
This sentiment was expressed just three years ago.
The prediction was that the number ten would either continue to advance or achieve comparable results after scoring 30 goals in all competitions last season.
Regrettably, he has failed to achieve that benchmark this time around, scoring only seven goals in 26 Premier League appearances.
However, the role he could potentially take on against City could be crucial.
It is anticipated that the match will follow a similar pattern to United’s 4-3 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup match, in which Rashford was a threat throughout.
| Rashford vs Liverpool Stats | |
|---|---|
| Stats | Rashford |
| Goals | 1 |
| Key passes | 5 |
| Shots | 4 |
| Big chances created | 2 |
| Pass accuracy | 90% |
Pep Guardiola’s team is sure to dominate the attacking statistics and possession for the majority of the game, presumably from the very beginning.
Consequently, the sole pleasure that United will experience in the final third will be on the counterattack, a situation in which the 26-year-old excels, as evidenced by his statistics against Liverpool.
The left-winger’s acceleration in behind will offer United an out-ball, while Amad’s inclusion would increase Ten Hag’s team’s susceptibility to the press, as he has a tendency to come short in order to receive the ball.
Additionally, Rashford has the ability to generate a moment of enchantment from nothing, a quality that Man City will be all too familiar with, having already experienced it at the Etihad this season.
In summary, Rashford has a point to prove, and Wembley Stadium is the ideal venue to demonstrate why he remains one of the most talented forwards in Europe, particularly in light of his exclusion from the England squad.