Louis van Gaal Has a Manchester United Selection Dilemma
Marcus Rashford’s senior Manchester United career has exploded into life over the past couple of games, but when the fairy-dust settles, Louis van Gaal will be left with a significant selection dilemma. Who will he leave out in order to accommodate Rashford into the side? The team congratulated Rashford for winning Man of the Match honors and thanked those who voted for him:
Congratulations to Marcus Rashford, #mufc’s Man of the Match on his @premierleague debut. Thanks to all who voted. pic.twitter.com/Cvn94G363m
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 28, 2016
The 18-year-old’s opportunity came as a result of a pretty full-blown injury crisis in the centre-forward position. Wayne Rooney was the first to fall. That was a blow given his form, but easily fixed as Memphis Depay could be drafted back into the team at left wing with Anthony Martial moved back inside.
Will Keane had been recalled from loan and was available to deputise for Martial. Unfortunately, Keane injured himself with virtually his first touch of the ball when coming on as a substitute against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.
Then, in a twist of fate that appeared in keeping with United’s run of bad luck, Martial was injured in the warm-up ahead of the home leg of the Europa League tie with FC Midtjylland. This time, though, it was not the “Law of Murphy” that Van Gaal cited in his post-match press conference following the away leg in Denmark after David De Gea was injured. Van Gaal described Rashford’s impact as “unbelievable,” per Sky Sports Football:
LVG hails Marcus Rashford’s ‘unbelievable’ impact. Full story here: https://t.co/sCemxgvnQl pic.twitter.com/x3YCObbChm
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 29, 2016
This time, it was a blessing in disguise.
Rashford has been absolutely electric. In his post-match interview with Geoff Shreeves of Sky Sports after the win over Arsenal on Sunday, in which he had scored a brace, he said, “It was a shock playing midweek [against Midtjylland] because Martial was supposed to be starting and coming in kind of benefited me because I wasn’t thinking about it, thinking about the game too much so it’s just been good.”
There was nothing about Rashford’s performance against either Midtjylland or Arsenal to suggest he was out of his comfort zone in first-team football. Indeed, he provided United with something they have not had a great deal this season—a poacher. Doron Salomon of the Base Soccer Agency shared his thoughts regarding Rashford, his skill set and this role:
What’s been great about Rashford’s 4 goals are that they’re poacher/striker type goals. Talent has been clear for a few years but given…
— Doron Salomon (@DoronSalomon) February 29, 2016
…so that say Wilson or even someone like Macheda. Come on loads this season, already his highest scoring campaign: https://t.co/tXmMunJW8T
— Doron Salomon (@DoronSalomon) February 29, 2016
Martial’s superb talent has been evident. His hold-up play and all-round game at centre-forward has been deservedly celebrated. His remarkable ability to beat a man has been amply demonstrated. However, he has not as yet shown honed predatory instincts—the kind which make sure he is always in the right place at the right time and are such a key part of the centre-forward’s art.
Rooney enjoyed a purple patch between the start of the year and his current injury, but the first half of the season was pretty much a bust for him. Even at his best, he has never really been a poacher—he has too many strings to his bow for that role.
Van Gaal is now in something of a pickle. As has so often been the case during his time at United, the Red Devils have been at their best not when his plan A has been in effect, but when straightened circumstances have forced him to adapt.
Sky Sports Statto shared Rashford’s stats, demonstrating how important his contribution is to the team’s overall success:
Man of the Match, Man Utd’s Marcus Rashford
2 attempts
2 on target
2 goals
1 assist pic.twitter.com/BCeoXEucjJ— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) February 28, 2016
Last season’s now-infamous run of good form in spring came following the suspension of Angel Di Maria and an injury to Robin van Persie. The win over Arsenal and the demolition of FC Midtjylland happened thanks to a thrown-together, and thus more attacking, midfield, with a previously dropped left-winger in incredible creative form and a previously unknown striker banging in the goals.
Memphis’ form is key to the selection dilemma facing Van Gaal. He has seized the opportunity given to him by the injury to Rooney, and his performances against Midtjylland and Arsenal have meant dropping him is out of the question for the time being.
Indeed, there was already something of a theoretical dilemma for Van Gaal before Rashford’s emergence—should he have dropped Memphis once Rooney was back?
Now, though, he has a more immediate problem. When Martial comes back into contention, should Rashford lose his place? Neither Memphis nor Martial have looked particularly effective on the right wing, so the option of playing all three is probably a nonstarter, without a significant change of shape.
While this certainly comes under the heading of good problem to have, it is nonetheless a problem. United’s position has been improved by their last three games, but it is precarious. Van Gaal will have to make the right call here in order to maximise the Red Devils’ chances of success between now and the end of the season.
Jon Super/Associated Press Rashford celebrates with Jesse Lingard.
His best option is probably sensible rotation, rather than sticking with a defined XI.
Of course, these are problems for a day somewhere in the future. Just for now, for United fans, it is probably worth revelling in the notion that a young player has taken his chance so impressively that this has even become a question.