Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag told answer to Ronaldo dilemma vs Man City

Rashford's upturn in form down to his'happiness' says ten Hag

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has a decision to make on his striker for the derby match against Manchester City this weekend. Marcus Rashford has led the line in the Premier League in recent weeks for the Dutchman, but has been out of action with an injury of late while Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the Red Devils’ last game.

A fluid system saw the Englishman start up front in each of United’s last four league games, and Ten Hag’s side won every game in that stretch. Ronaldo has been preferred in the Europa League as he has started both European games, and scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot as United defeated Moldovan side FC Sheriff before the international break.

Rashford picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-1 win over Arsenal and missed the trip to Moldova, while he was not available to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad that faced Italy and Germany in the Nations League.

He is racing to be fit to face Pep Guardiola’s side, but five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has thrived in the big moments in this type of game and will be pushing for a start. However former United defender Mikael Silvestre believes the Portuguese striker would be better served coming off the bench for Rashford in the second half.

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“I think right now, away from home against City, I would start Marcus and put Cristiano on later in the game,” Silvestre told BettingExpert. “Cristiano has been away for Portugal. Naturally I would go for Marcus to start the game especially as he’s been in very good form and has confidence. I would keep it that way.

“It’s possible they can create an upset. They’ve shown more resilience, especially away from home. They are ready to fight as a team, to defend the goal, the results. They could put up a good fight and then going forward, I think they will create opportunities because City are not at their best defensively right now. There could be an upset, maybe a draw. Even if we expect City to be dominant in possession.

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“It’s one of their strengths [playing on the counter]. The way football is evolving, you have to. It’s just easier. More space is better for the players to express themselves and take advantage of the high positions, especially away from home.

“I don’t expect United to be necessarily focusing on sitting deep. But, you know how City pressure and the way they operate going forward.

“You’re gonna be under pressure defending 30, 40 yards away from the goal and that means there is space if you manage to and when you manage to recover the ball.”

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