Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Which Red would run through brick walls?

Friday 04 December 2020 22:30

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pledged to manage Marcus Rashford carefully during the ongoing congested fixture schedule.

The boss is mindful of the fact that the forward overcame a back problem but has since been struggling with a shoulder issue, that forced his substitution during the 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, in the Champions League.

However, Ole has paid credit to the homegrown hero for his attitude and desire to play through the pain barrier, if required.

After being unable to represent England during the last international break, there have been some concerns over his fitness, and Ole was asked how he is going to handle the situation, particularly if he needs to provide some rest for Rashford.

"Of course, that is a medical issue," the manager replied. "How serious is it? At the moment he’s getting that tiredness towards the end that stops him from completing the games. Hopefully, it won’t take too long to completely go away.

“But, of course, you think about how you manage these players throughout the whole season anyway and Marcus, as you say, he’ll run through a brick wall for you. That is the type of lad that he is.

“We’ve just got to be fingers crossed that it doesn’t get worse because, at the moment, it is still manageable."

Hopefully, Rashford will be fit in order to face West Ham United on Saturday, although he has been flagged as a doubt for the 17:30 GMT kick-off at the London Stadium.

One man who has a great record against the Hammers is Anthony Martial. Indeed, the Frenchman has scored more goals against the east Londoners than any other rival since joining the Reds (six in nine games).

It could be just the game to kickstart the striker's stop-start season, after he was forced out of the Tottenham defeat early on due to the red card and was then suspended for the following three Premier League matches.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial will hope to start against the Hammers.

The manager has dismissed the suggestion that the arrival of Edinson Cavani may have affected Martial's confidence in front of goal.

"No," he responded. "Confidence-wise, Edinson coming in is just a boost for the whole team and the whole squad.

“Edinson speaks good French as well, so I’ve seen Anthony and Edinson getting on well. As you said, the sending off stopped his season a little bit because he was just getting going, Anthony, I felt.

“We’re very happy with his contribution, on Wednesday night, everyone points at the one chance that he misses but what about the chances that he set up? His overall contribution to the team, his cleverness, even his defending is improving.

“It is just one of those things that, as a striker, of course you get measured by goals and, as soon as you get one, if it is off his backside, the back of his head or his heel, it doesn’t matter. He’ll get going again, Anthony, I’m not concerned about that."

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