It wouldn’t be an Erik ten Hag press conference without the Manchester United boss ruling out at least one player through injury.
Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday evening’s trip to AFC Bournemouth, Ten Hag confirmed that another of his key players is struggling for fitness. Manchester United already have Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinezon the sidelines.
And while the Red Devils boss was reluctant to rule out Scott McTominay entirely ahead of tomorrow’s visit to the Vitality Stadium, the free-scoring midfielder does appear to be facing a race against time as United prepare for a tough task against a side who triumphed 3-0 at Old Trafford on the other side of Christmas.
Manchester United prepare for Bournemouth clash
“Scott, I don’t think (he will be available),” Ten Hag tells the Manchester Evening News. “We have a training (session) before the game). So we have a day. He will push. He is so keen to be a part of it tomorrow.
“(But) it’s very questionable.”
While doubts remain about whether McTominay’s presence on the Man United team-mate is more of a net-positive than a neg-negative – for all his box-crashing prowess, the Scotland international does not tend to contribute particularly effectively to the build up – this is not a side with so many goalscorers that they can simply dismiss a player of his strengths in the final third.
Ten Hag opens up on Marcus Rashford availability
Only Rasmus Hojlund (13) and Bruno Fernandes (ten) have more than McTominay’s nine goals in all competitions this season. Marcus Rashford also has nine, his form taking an alarming dip since last season. The Carrington graduate, after all, became the first United player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era to break the 30-goal barrier in 2022/23 and he hasn’t even reached double figures this term.
Rashford may also be facing a race against time to feature against Bournemouth, though Ten Hag seems to feel he has a greater chance of being involved than McTominay at this stage.
“And then Rashford,” the former Ajax boss adds. “Rashy trained yesterday (on Thursday). We have another training today, and then we will make a decision on (whether he can play).”
Man United have won none of their last three Premier league games, dropping seven points in the last week against Brentford, Chelsea and Liverpool. Champions League football now looks like a pipe dream at best, with 11 points now separating the Red Devils from Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.