Posted: 18:06, 2 April 2022 | Updated: 21:14, 2 April 2022
Gary Neville believes that Marcus Rasford, who will be left out of the Manchester United starting line-up for the clash with Leicester, will be difficult for the striker.
With Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out due to illness and Edinson Cavani unavailable due to injury, it looked like Rashford could start at Old Trafford.
However, interim boss Ralph Rangnick chose to play without a recognized center-forward as he chose Bruno Fernandes to lead the line-up and Neville believes the selection will be a major blow to Rasford.
Marcus Rasford received another blow when he was out against Leicester on Saturday
Gary Neville believes Rasford’s omission says a lot about his current situation
“Marcus Rasford has a huge low,” Neville told Sky Sports before the start.
“In order not to be in this Manchester United team today, Marcus Rasford says something, I have to say it.
“Playing without a center-forward at home against Leicester when he also has a break for a few weeks is a big decision for Ralph Rangnick.”
Jamie Redknapp agreed with Neville’s assessment of Rasford’s current situation at United and wondered what the 24-year-old should think after being left out of the starting line-up.
Jamie Redknapp agrees with Neville’s assessment of Rasford’s current situation at United
Ralph Rangnick tried to defend his decision after United’s stalemate against Leicester
He added: “Gary is in his place. “Marcus Rasford did not have any international football, you would think he would train well, showing that he wants to play, and if you see a midfielder, No. 10, playing as a central striker.”
German coach Rangnik tried to defend his decision in the post-match press conference after United’s draw, insisting that while the English striker was “not confident”, he was not selected because United wanted an extra man in the midfield. .
“The only one we had on the bench was Marcus,” Rangnick said. “We had to decide whether to play Marcus as a striker to start or in the midfield with Paul Pogba.
“We decided to start Paul Pogba and in the second half, after 60 minutes, we made that change.
Rangnik insists Rasford was pinned down to allow him to play French midfielder Paul Pogba
“It is no secret that he has not been confident for the last two weeks. He trained with us, in training he looks good, but he was between Paul and Marcus, and we decided to go for Paul “.
Rasford has started just three of United’s last 13 league games and was snubbed under similar circumstances for last month’s Manchester derby, when Ronaldo and Cavani were absent.
Lack of playing time since the turn of the year has cost him a place in Gareth Southgate’s last England team and has been linked with a move away from his youth team this summer.
It is understood that Arsenal are interested in acquiring Rasford to strengthen their attacking options when the transfer window reopens.
Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out due to illness, but Rasford lost the starting lineup.
