Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are ruled OUT of Manchester United’s do-or-die Champions League clash with Bayern Munich due to ‘illness’, confirms Erik ten Hag in blunt analysis

• Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial ruled out of Champions League match
• The two forwards have been hit by illness and will miss crucial Bayern clash 
• Will Marcus Rashford EVER be the real deal? Listen to It’s All Kicking Off

Man United duo Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been ruled out of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Bayern Munich due to illness.

Neither player was present at Carrington on Monday as Erik ten Hag prepared his side for a game he knows his side must win against the Bavarian giants to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages of Europe’s premier competition.

Rashford became unwell on Friday before taking his place among the Man United substitutes for their dismal 3-0 loss to Bournemouth the following day.

He ended up playing 11 minutes of the loss to the Cherries but he and Martial have not been well enough to feature at all during their latest training session – confirmed by United on their official website.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were both missing from training for Man United due to illness on Monday morning 

Erik ten Hag will be concerned about the news ahead of United’s must-win clash vs Bayern 

Your browser does not support iframes.

Rashford, meanwhile, was left out of the United starting side, when available, for the first time this season in the Premier League against Chelsea last week after receiving widespread criticism for his efforts during a 1-0 loss to Newcastle.

He seemingly repeatedly refused to track back and showed little desire to be involved, with former United player Mark Hughes saying he doesn’t think Rashford is enjoying his football again.

‘I think Rashford has slipped back into the mindset that he had prior to last season – he doesn’t look happy,’ he said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast with Sam Allardyce.

Rashford missed out on the United starting XI for the first time this season against Chelsea before illness forced him on the bench for the loss to Bournemouth

‘He obviously had a lot going on outside the game which maybe took something away from him, and perhaps he just needs to focus back solely on what his role is when he’s asked to put on the shirt for Man United.’

Ten Hag, meanwhile, has insisted it is up to Rashford to try and force his way back into the side.

‘Rashford is an incredible, good player,’ he said. ‘You can’t do it with 11 players, he can’t play every game. He’s not in this moment in the form he was last year but I am sure he will get there.

‘t is up to him. The team will always line themselves up and the best players who form the best team will play. I think we have a squad and in the squad there is internal competition. In every season, it will turn and in every season it’s what is the best team.

Rashford and Martial (L) have received huge question marks over their commitment of late

‘They are here, they are great players and have played into the team. That’s what you expect from every player, there has to be dedication to aim for this.’

He also defended Martial after the Frenchman – whose contract expires next summer – was booed off against Bournemouth.

‘Two weeks ago against Everton he played a very good game,’ he said.

‘So he has absolutely the competencies and the abilities to play so I don’t think it’s fair, after a performance like this, to go to one player now. As a group we failed, altogether.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article