3 Manchester United emergency striker options
Marcus Rashford is injured while both Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial sat out this weekend as they were unfit.
So what if none of them are passed fit to face Rochdale this week, with an eye on the upcoming Arsenal game?
United do have options, although they aren’t exactly ideal. For one game against Rochdale, we might be able to get away with it.
Here is a look at the ways the club could fill the void up front this week…
Jesse Lingard
Lingard got the chance to run around for a bit up front against West Ham and it wasn’t ideal. He touched the ball just seven times in 30 minutes.
With time to prepare a gameplan, against lesser opposition, Lingard might have more success in the role.
If the plan is to give game time to youngsters Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong, then having some experience in attack with them will help.
Lingard needs confidence, and getting in position to get on the scoresheet against Rochdale could be a real boost for him.
Dan James
Solskjaer said in pre-season that he planned to play James through the middle at times.
He has the pace to put defenders on the backfoot and catch them out if they lapse in concentration for just a moment.
It might be better for United to rest James, given his importance to the side and the fact he came into the West Ham game dealing with an injury.
At the same time, this is a chance to see something different from the Welshman, and experiment with him in a position where he would not usually get the chance to show what he can do.
D’Mani Mellor
Here is a more exciting option. Young United forward D’Mani Mellor has been in good form for the under-23s this season.
The 18-year-old has two goals and three assists in four under-23 games, netting against West Brom and Reading.
An emergency call was how Rashford got his chance, and this could be a rare shot for Mellor to seize his moment if het gets the call.
United have an under-23 game against Villa tonight and it will be interested to see if he is involved and for how long. If he plays and impresses, there will be calls for him to be fast-tracked into Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup squad.
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