Manchester United will make late decisions on the fitness of Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford for their trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday (5.30pm GMT), manager Erik ten Hag has said.
Midfielder McTominay missed United’s 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool on Sunday with a knee problem, while forward Rashford asked to be substituted because of an issue he sustained during the second half.
“I don’t think so,” Ten Hag said when he was asked about the Scotland international’s prospects of playing, calling his participation “very questionable”.
“We have a day. He will push – he is so keen to be a part of it tomorrow. Rashy trained yesterday, so [it depends upon] how he recovered from it today. We have another training session [on Friday] and then we will make a decision on it.”
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Sixth-placed United are a point above West Ham and two clear of eighth-placed Newcastle, accelerating their need to exact revenge over the Cherries for a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in December.
“We were mentally not ready for that game,” said Ten Hag. “They battled and we lost the battles.
“Tomorrow will not be different – that is the way they want to play. They want to fight with you.
“So you go into that fight and have the conviction and belief. You need to support each other to win battles, to outplay them, outrun them and defend to match their runs.”
💥 @MARCUSRASHFORD‘s rocket is the #PL GOTM for March 🚀#MUFC PIC.TWITTER.COM/HCBJIYRBCK
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) APRIL 12, 2024
Bournemouth v Man United: Ten Hag ‘happy’
Bournemouth had won four times as part of a five-match unbeaten run before losing 2-1 at Luton Town last Saturday.
Manager Andoni Iraola was named the Premier League manager of the month for March on Friday, and victory could return the Spaniard’s side to the top half of the table.
Ten Hag also discussed John Murtough’s decision to step down from his position as United’s football director after 11 years at the club.
“I miss his support,” said Ten Hag, adding that he is working “closely together” in a “very good” relationship with the new owners of the club’s football operations , led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“It will not change – it doesn’t have an impact on the way I can work here. The conditions were perfect; they are still perfect. I am happy with that but we want to set the right conditions to be successful.”
