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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Elliott Jackson

Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves disagree on Marcus Rashford and Manchester United team selection

Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves disagreed over the Manchester United starting XI, with the position of Marcus Rashford coming under scrutiny.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named arguably his most typical XI for the Europa League semi-final against AS Roma, with Scott McTominay and Fred starting as holding midfielders.

Mason Greenwood misses out, as a result, with Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba operating behind Edinson Cavani in attack.

Whilst Pogba has enjoyed playing from the left recently, Rashford has typically struggled on the right-wing.

Scholes argued that either McTominay or Fred should have missed out, with Greenwood playing instead, whilst Hargreaves argued that Rashford's crossing ability from the right could be an asset.

“Ole still loves his two defensive midfielders, doesn’t he?" Hargreaves told BT Sport.

"With Bruno playing as a 10, he wants his two defensive (midfielders), but Marcus (Rashford) off the right-hand side is a very good option and Cavani through the middle is as lethal as anyone.”

“Sorry, Owen, I slightly disagree," Scholes responded.

"I don’t think Marcus enjoys playing on that right-hand side, I don’t think his numbers are anywhere near as good.”

“No, I agree, but I think he’s a good crosser of the ball on the right-hand side," Hargreaves admitted.

Scholes said: “He’s an option, yes, but I think for this team to evolve, especially against, you’re not playing Manchester City here where I’d expect to have two holding midfielders, you’re going to have a lot of possession.

"You can afford an extra body. You can play Paul (Pogba) as a midfield player, he can link with Bruno all day long as a number 10. Mason (Greenwood) is in the best form of his life and I cannot believe he’s not playing, he’s so much better from the right-hand side.

"Marcus (Rashford) is so much better from the left-hand side and Cavani through the middle is a great option.”

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