Paul Merson’s bizarre choice for Manchester United ‘false 9’ striker in FA Cup final

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Manchester United have a decision to make up front against Manchester City in the upcoming FA Cup final.

Anthony Martial’s injury is as inconvenient as it is totally predictable. The most likely option is to go with Marcus Rashford.

This has worked well at times this season, although the drawback is it takes him away from his preferred left-wing position.

And with Antony battling injury, United may have one less winger ready to start. Wout Weghorst is another alternative who Erik ten Hag can turn to, however, he has been out of favour in recent weeks.

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Jadon Sancho recommendation

One option probably not being considered, has been put forward via Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.

In light of the injury to Anthony Martial, he suggests Jadon Sancho plays as striker in the FA Cup final.

Merson told Sky Sports: “Manchester United have got to give City something different to think about. If they go with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho on the wings, that won’t cause them any problems.

“I’d play Sancho as a false nine. He’s someone who can play in the middle, pick up the ball, turn and run. It also stops John Stones from coming into midfield.”

He also added: “I’d also definitely play Rashford on the right rather than on the left.”

The first counter-point to all of this we would make, is that this is the FA Cup final and not a moment to start experimenting.

The ‘false nine’ has only worked out poorly for United in the past. Ralf Rangnick tried it away at City last season and regretted it.

Erik ten Hag tried it at home to Brighton on the season opening day and it did not work either.

But perhaps more aptly, Ten Hag did experiment with this in the second half against City at Old Trafford by playing Antony centrally after Martial got injured.

It did not work, and United went 1-0 down only came back into the game once Alejandro Garnacho came on and Marcus Rashford moved into the centre, and Antony back onto the right.

Jadon Sancho has also been playing really well over the last couple of games on the wings. Erik ten Hag shouldn’t over-think it.

Martial’s injury is inconvenient no doubt, and if we lose, Ten Hag’s decisions will be picked apart regardless. But he would regret a loss even more if he abandoned the system which has worked, and tried something totally experimental for it to backfire.