It might be the final game of the league season, but one Manchester United player desperately needs to be rested.
Erik ten Hag has some important decisions to make over the next week, and it’ll likely directly impact whether he gets to continue next season.
This time next week, Manchester United could be the FA Cup winners, heading to the Europa League regardless of what happens against Brighton.
So without a doubt, it’s the final which must take priority for United and Ten Hag, which means one player needs to be given a rest ahead of said final.
Alejandro Garnacho needs a rest vs Brighton
The player that needs a rest more than anyone else is Alejandro Garnacho as the winger has played an enormous amount of minutes in recent months.
Becoming first choice on the right wing and then the left, Garnacho has actually started every game for United since October 29th in a 3-0 loss to Man City.
This is a stretch of 36 games, and while eventually we’d like to hope he’d be consistently impressive for that length of a game span, he’s quite clearly struggling lately.
The Argentine has been giving his all but is obviously just a little light on his legs after such a run, leading to his performances regressing, despite being a ‘special’ talent as Nick Cox labelled him.
Therefore resting him this weekend would be the smart move and allow him to arrive at Wembley next Saturday, fully rested and ready to go as Rio Ferdinand thinks he could be a game changer.
Could hand Marcus Rashford final chance at Manchester United
With Garnacho being rested, the recently returned Marcus Rashford could get back into the starting lineup for what could be the final chance to save his United career.
After a poor season, it feels as though Rashford is at a junction in his career this summer, and there have been countless links pointing toward him departing Old Trafford this summer.
While this isn’t what the club should want to see happen, ultimately Rashford just doesn’t seem to be enjoying his time at United anymore.
So starting against Brighton could be the last chance, if he doesn’t impress he won’t start the final.
