Edinson Cavani was ruled in then out of Manchester United’s travelling squad to Milan yesterday.
After a late setback, it was decided Cavani will not be part of the squad due to injury, joining Anthony Martial on the sidelines.
United will be dependent on Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford to score goals in this huge, decisive European game.
Sound familiar? Yes, these were the two forward options United relied upon away at RB Leipzig last December.
Both strikers wasted early chances, struggled to gel, and floundered as United lost 3-2, a game marred by defensive mishaps as much as poor finishing.
The onus is on Greenwood and Rashford to perform this time, and step up when it matters.
That’s a lot of pressure on the young duo, but as we mention, they have been here before. That experience and failure will motivate them.
More recently they both played well in the 4-0 away win over Real Sociedad. Rashford created one goal and scored another.
That match did not have the same pressure as this one did, being a first leg, and Sociedad were a weaker opposition.
Milan will have top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading their line. He’s made for these type of matches. Rashford and Greenwood need to demonstrate they can cut it too.
Rashford has 18 goals and 10 assists this season, while Greenwood has 4 goals and 4 assists.
United do have goalscorers spread around the team, with Bruno Fernandes netting 23, Scott McTominay contributing seven this season, and Paul Pogba six.
They can take the pressure off the front two, but United go into this game needing to score. A 0-0 draw would mean elimination after Milan’s away goal.
This fixture is the perfect chance for Rashford and Greenwood to demonstrate how they have improved, and that they can handle the pressure.
Especially for Greenwood. For all the frustrations he has had this season in front of goal, everything can change with a winner in Milan.
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