The Marcus Rashford gamble backfired for Manchester United – and Liverpool could be the big winners.
Should Man Utd’s leading scorer fail to recover from a back injury in time for Sunday’s trip to Anfield, it will completely change the dynamic of the game.
In short – the visitors will lose their fear factor.
In Rashford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a player to genuinely spark dread in the hearts of Jurgen Klopp’s defenders.
Three goals in his last four games against the runaway Premier League leaders tells its own story – including the strike that led to Liverpool’s only dropped points this season.
Rashford’s pace and clinical finishing has been a major factor in Klopp’s often cautious approach to games against United.
Liverpool’s risk-averse performance in last year’s goalless draw at Old Trafford was a factor in their failure to edge out Manchester City in the title run-in. And despite heading to the same venue with United suffering a crisis of form earlier this season, it was another inhibited display from the champions-elect.
That 1-1 draw, courtesy of Adam Lallana’s 85th-minute equaliser, is the only blemish on Liverpool’s otherwise perfect campaign.
But Klopp’s tactics that day acknowledged his respect for Rashford – and still he couldn’t stop him.
The 22-year-old, with 19 goals in all competitions this season, is a big game player.
Rashford’s impressive striking stats against the top sides
He’s scored eight against the top four this term alone – and he is absolutely pivotal to Solskjaer’s strategy against the leading clubs.
He is the perfect counter-attacking player. Lightning on the break and – crucially – he’s now added that finishing touch to his game.
Pep Guardiola is still to find a way to handle him.
Jose Mourinho managed him for two and a half years, warned his Tottenham players of what to expect – yet still watched as Rashford came back to haunt him with both goals in United’s 2-1 win against their former boss last month.
In full flow, Rashford is virtually unstoppable – and represents United’s best chance of taking anything away from Anfield on Sunday.
Without him, Solskjaer still has an attack loaded with pace.
How will United cope?
Daniel James – just as he did against Wolves – is likely to deputise on the left.
But just as he proved against Wolves, the Wales winger simply doesn’t provide the same cutting edge as the man who has become United’s talisman.
James was presented with three one-on-ones in Wednesday’s FA Cup third round replay and failed to take any of them.
It took Juan Mata to send United through with the only goal of the game.
“It’s not often you create that many opportunities against Wolves,” said Solskjaer. “Some great runs in behind from Dan, but he needs to learn from Juan that composure - (he) scored an absolute beauty of a goal.”
United are unlikely to get so many chances at Anfield – and can’t afford to be so wasteful if they do arise.
Solskjaer will give Rashford every chance to prove his fitness - and it is little wonder.
That he suffered an impact injury - as a result of a knee to the back from Matt Doherty - will provide some hope that he can shake it off over the next few days.
“He’s a quick healer and he’ll play through some pain if he’s capable, if it’s not a bad, bad injury,” added Solskjaer, who goes into Sunday’s game unbeaten against Klopp’s side.
“I’ve had Liverpool here (Old Trafford) twice and we’ve drawn both. You want to win those games, but we’ve found a nice way of playing against them and deserved the points in both of them. Let’s just wait and see.”
Pivotal to that plan is Rashford – and on Sunday, United may be counting the cost of Solskjaer’s gamble.
