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For the past couple of weeks, Manchester United players have been dropping like flies with injury problems. While Lisandro Martinez was ruled out for the season after being stretchered off against Sevilla, and Raphael Varane was taken off at half time of the same game, Marcel Sabitzer didn’t even make it through the pre-match warm-up before Sunday’s game with Nottingham Forest.
However, for the first time in a while, Erik Ten Hag has some good news in relation to injuries at the club. In training photos ahead of their huge game with Sevilla tomorrow night, four of the club’s injured stars have been spotted taking part in first-team training.
Marcel Sabitzer, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw were all pictured in the session but the news that will please United fans the most is the fact that Marcus Rashford also took part. The England forward hobbled off during the Red Devil’s 2-0 win over Everton a couple of weeks ago and there were fears that he would be out until at least May.
However, United’s top scorer appears to have made a quick recovery and has been named in the travelling United squad alongside Shaw, Sabitzer and Malacia.
A boost ahead of a huge week
Rashford’s return is a huge boost to Erik Ten Hag ahead of what looks like a season-defining week for his side. They go into the game with Sevilla tomorrow night needing a win to keep their dreams of a second Europa League trophy alive after they gave away a 2-0 lead in the first leg at Old Trafford last week.
🚨 There's big news coming out of Carrington 👀#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 19, 2023
In truth, United could have killed the tie last week and had several chances at 2-0 to extend their lead but squandered each opening they had. Tyrell Malacia fired over from close range while Antony hit the crossbar with a left-footed effort. The away side then benefited from two late own goals which has left the tie on a knife edge ahead of the return leg.
Regardless of how tomorrow night goes, the squad will need to dust themselves out instantly as they have another date at Wembley to look forward to this weekend. Their FA Cup semi-final with Brighton has the potential to be a thriller, with Brighton currently one of the most in-form sides in the country outside the top four.
After the game at Wembley on Sunday, United have another huge game four days later as they travel to North London to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. If Ten Hag’s men can avoid defeat in the capital then Champions League football for next season will all but be secured.
An update on other injuries
While the return of Rashford, Shaw, Sabitzer and Malacia is undoubtedly a huge boost, there are still several other big names who Ten Hag will want back sooner rather than later. While Martinez and Van de Beek are done for the season, Ten Hag will be keen to get Varane and Garnacho back in the next couple of weeks.
Varane is one of the best defenders in the world, while United have certainly missed the spark that Garnacho gives them off the bench in the second half of games. The young Argentinian shared a picture on Instagram this week showing him back in football boots so his return may just be around the corner.
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