Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly prepared to drop Marcus Rashford for the Red Devils' Premier League clash with Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a productive campaign for the Old Trafford club last term, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and helping Ten Hag's men to EFL Cup success and Champions League qualification.
However, things have not gone as swimmingly for Rashford so far in 2023-24, with the attacker finding the net on just one occasion in nine matches across all competitions.
The England international did manage to assist one of Rasmus Hojlund's goals in the Champions League on Tuesday night, although the Red Devils ultimately lost 3-2 to Turkish giants Galatasaray at Old Trafford.
According to The Sun, Ten Hag is considering dropping Rashford for Saturday afternoon's encounter with Brentford, as the winger continues to struggle at the beginning of his term.
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The report claims that the former Ajax boss could start either Anthony Martial or Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank instead of the 25-year-old, who has scored just once in seven Premier League matches in the early stages of this campaign.
Rashford was replaced in the 67th minute by Argentine Garnacho during the loss to Galatasary last time out, with Frenchman Martial coming on for the United academy graduate in the latter stages of the league defeat to Crystal Palace a week ago.
Talking to the gathered media ahead of the visit of Thomas Frank's Bees, Ten Hag accepted that Rashford is enduring a tough period but is confident that the attacker can get back to his dangerous best.
"It's normal that you are not always right in the same levels," Ten Hag said on Friday. "Everyone knows his qualities. We've seen he is getting in good positions.
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"He is struggling but it will pass. Everyone at United backs him, the whole team supports him and believes in him. I am sure with that it will change.
"Strikers, when they don't score for a moment, they need one goal, then they step over. It will come. The momentum will come and he will be on fire."
Man United currently sit 10th in the Premier League standings after losing four of their opening seven games, representing the club's worst start to a league campaign in 34 years.
Ten Hag's side have a mountain to climb in the Champions League in order to escape the group stage following back-to-back defeats against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray in the opening two gameweeks.
Carter White
