Ex-Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov has claimed that Marcus Rashford should be made Red Devils captain for Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Bruno Fernandes will miss the contest at Anfield through suspension, meaning that head coach Erik ten Hag will need to name a new captain for the game with Jurgen Klopp's side.
Harry Maguire, who was skipper before Fernandes, would have potentially been in contention for the armband, but the centre-back has also been ruled out of the match due to a groin problem.
Ten Hag said during his press conference on Friday afternoon that he had already made a decision over who would wear the armband, and Berbatov has said that Rashford should be considered despite the fact that the England international is not guaranteed a spot in the first XI.
Rashford was absent for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich due to illness, but he is back in the squad for the game with Liverpool and will be desperate to come back into the side, having been on the bench for the last two league games with Chelsea and Bournemouth.
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Berbatov has said that handing Rashford the armband could kickstart his season, with the 26-year-old only managing two goals during what has been a disappointing campaign to date.
"We know the club captain (Bruno Fernandes) is not playing, that's another problem to deal with. Man United will have to hope whoever comes into his place can do the job, but it's a big blow for them," Berbatov told Betfair.
"The question is, who leads the side at Anfield? I don't know how Erik ten Hag is thinking about this situation. Who deserves the captain's armband more, the experienced players like Jonny Evans or Raphael Varane, or someone younger and hungry like Scott McTominay? Who can prove they can lead the team?
"Sometimes, how to deal with a player who is going through a difficult patch of form, it's good to show them faith. Marcus Rashford needs to be shown faith, maybe he should be captain for the game, and it can be a final test for him to lead the team.
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"Rashford could realise that this is his chance to be a leader and the main star at Man United. These moments can elevate players, they just need an arm around their shoulders.
"This would be a point where Rashford realises football is not a fairytale, it's real life and that he needs to grow up to be the main man for the club. I have witnessed players who needed this opportunity, it's happened to me in my career too, sometimes you need these gestures."
Rashford's last start for Man United came in the team's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on December 2.
Ten Hag must decide whether to keep faith with a front three of Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, or bring Rashford back in, with the Englishman a potential option through the middle.
Rashford has only netted once from open play in the Premier League this season, which came away to Arsenal at the start of September.
Matt Law
