Manchester United and Newcastle face off in the first major final of the English football calendar in the 2022/23 Carabao Cup final at Wembley on February 26.
Both sides are pushing to end their long waits for a trophy, stretching back to 2017 and 1955 respectively, with Erik ten Hag and Eddie Howe under pressure to deliver silverware this season.
The Magpies have been rocked by the absence of the suspended Nick Pope for the final, with former Liverpool goal keeper Loris Karius set to fill in, but Bruno Guimaraes is back in the squad.
However, United's injury concern focuses squarely on key man Marcus Rashford, with the England star struggling with an ankle injury ahead of the final.
Marcus Rashford injury latest
Rashford was substituted in the closing minutes of United's 2-1 Europa League Round of 16 playoff win over Barcelona in midweek after complaining to the United bench about an ankle issue.
Ten Hag opted to withdraw the 25-year-old, as United edged over the line at Old Trafford, but his place in the final is now in doubt.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is a doubt for Sunday's @Carabao_Cup final with #Newcastle through injury.
— Metro Radio News (@MetroRadioNews) February 24, 2023
The England international was subsituted late on in last night's 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Europa League.
Boss Erik ten Hag says Rashford will need to be assessed. pic.twitter.com/8TiUTo4i2Z
Rashford's fitness was a key question in Ten Hag's pre-match press conference and the Dutchman admitted he is unsure over whether he can recover in time, with a last minute decision expected.
"I don't know," Ten Hag said when asked if Rashford would be ready in time.
"Players are now coming in, we have to do investigations, medical, of course, yesterday we did. So straight after a game most of the time you can't say, you have to wait for a 100 per cent diagnosis. So let's do the medical, the work, we have to wait."
Rashford is set to travel to Wembley with the squad and could be named on the bench, if Ten Hag is advised not to start him against Howe's side.
Who could replace Rashford at Wembley?
No Rashford at Wembley would be a huge blow to Ten Hag's plans with French international Anthony Martial already ruled out with a groin problem.
Ten Hag has rotated Rashford's starting position in recent weeks, alternating between a central role, and left of a front three, in behind Wout Weghorst.
With Weghorst expected to lead the United attack again — regardless of Rashford's fitness — the option of a replacement comes out wide.
Wout Weghorst since January 17th! #MUFC 🔴🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/y4ClwcBybP
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) February 20, 2023
Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are the most likely to fill in, with the former scoring the winner off the bench against Barcelona, if Ten Hag shuffles his front line.
If Rashford misses out from the start, Jadon Sancho could move across to the left, with Bruno Fernandes as a No.10, to facilitate Antony in his preferred right sided slot.
Marcus Rashford's 2022/23 so far
Rashford has been in sensational form since returning to United after the 2022 World Cup with 16 goals in his last 18 games — more than any other player in Europe's top leagues in 2023 — with 24 overall in 2022/23.
Marcus Rashford = scary!#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/wwReTt7MGD
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 25, 2023
His consistent form has been a catalyst for United fighting to win four potential trophies this season, with the Mancunian admitting he is feeling fitter and more confident than at any point in his career, with United fans praying he can recover in time to face Newcastle.
