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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United could match Sir Alex Ferguson's winning run vs Crystal Palace

How is Martial replaced?

Anthony Martial pulled into Carrington on Tuesday in civilian clothing whereas the majority of Manchester United players were clad in club tracksuits. Telling or not, Martial is a doubt for tonight's fixture and Erik ten Hag may be reluctant to risk him if he is remotely match-fit.

Martial is a paradox; inconsistent when he has a consistent run of games yet his worth at United increases when he is absent. United do not have a natural No.9 replacement. Some will argue Martial is not a natural No.9.

Wout Weghorst is a striker in the old-fashioned mould, an asset akin to Marouane Fellaini. Weghorst has trained three times with his new teammates but a start at Palace may be too hasty and Marcus Rashford has to come under consideration for a role change.

Also read: 'It's a bonus' - Ten Hag hails Garnacho and United players' tactical plan

Recalls?

Fred produced the individual performance of the season from a United player and three days later he was the only player to be dropped at Chelsea. On the strength of that, Fred could drop out again at Crystal Palace if Ten Hag decides to place square pegs in square holes.

Alejandro Garnacho is the obvious attacker to recall if Martial is out and restoring Antony would allow Bruno Fernandes to return to the No.10 role. Ten Hag said at the weekend he is still "building up" Lisandro Martinez.

Ten in a row?

Beat Palace and United will have matched the 10-game winning streak Sir Alex Ferguson presided over in January and February of 2009. Ten Hag's side have already equalled the victorious nine-match run from Jose Mourinho's first season in 2016-17.

Rashford close to emulating Van Nistelrooy?

Before he made his United debut, Marcus Rashford was urged to study the finishing of Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman plundered 150 goals in 219 United games between 2001-06, with 80 coming in his first two campaigns.

Van Nistelrooy scored in 10 successive games in 2001-02, a sequence that included the then-Premier League record of scoring in eight consecutive fixtures. Rashford has scored in seven matches on the spin.

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