Writing for BBC Sport, former Premier League midfielder Jermaine Jenas has revealed Marcus Rashford’s injury has robbed Manchester United of a fear factor.
What did he say?
The England international was ruled out of the clash against Liverpool with an injury, and it was then later revealed by The Times journalist Henry Winter that the forward had suffered a double stress fracture to his back – it is now thought he will miss the next few weeks at least.
And Jenas has now claimed the Red Devils are going to suffer massively due to the “damaging” blow of losing Rashord, and urged them to go out and sign a striker in this January transfer window to help solve their problems.
He said: “Manchester United have been relying a lot on Marcus Rashford’s brilliance, so his absence is particularly damaging for them right now. A lot of the goals United have scored this season have come purely and simply down to Rashford doing something special.
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“If Rashford was on the pitch at Anfield on Sunday, then there would have been fear in the Liverpool team straight away – because they know what he can do and how he can hurt them. Without him, United never looked convincing when they attacked, even when they had more of the ball in the second half. Other than Martial, the goal threat just was not there.
“So United have to do something, because they do not have a number nine while Rashford is out. I know players are not easy to get in January, but they are out there. This is United we are talking about – money should not be an issue.”
Necessity
If there were suggestions United needed a front-line striker even before Rashford’s injury – the Red Devils have scored just 36 goals this season in the Premier League – then those calls will only have intensified now. The academy product has been one of the leading lights for the Manchester side, scoring 19 times across all competitions. But relying on a 22-year-old to fire them to glory is a tall order indeed.
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The injury should surely force Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side into action in this January window, and get them to rectify a mistake they made in the summer when they chose not to replace Belgium international Romelu Lukaku. It may not be in the circumstances United may have wanted, but signing a new striker this month now absolutely has to be on the agenda.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans discuss their transfer battle with Chelsea over this starlet.
