The player that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will choose to lead his team’s attack during their inaugural Premier League encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers is still unknown given the numerous lineups he tested during the preseason.
Rasmus Hojlund, a recent addition, is injured and is out, therefore Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Anthony Martial are all possibilities – But who should captain Ten Hag’s front line for the upcoming campaign?
Martial missed the entire preseason due to a muscle tear, so it’s safe to assume that he won’t be in the starting 11. However, there has been no word on whether Martial is available.
In addition to not getting any playing time during the preseason like his competitors, Martial appears to be leaving Old Trafford, with both West Ham United and Inter Milan showing interest in the 27-year-old.
Therefore, it looks that Rashford and Sancho will compete for the position of center-forward now that Martial has withdrawn from the running.
Rashford has proven to be a capable striker, starting in this position in 34% of his games last season while playing his preferred left-wing role 56% of the time.
The 25-year-old covered for Martial on several occasions last campaign, scoring 11 of his 30 goals in all competitions last season when starting as a striker.
Rashford has demonstrated his talent as a striker, but Sancho was surprised with his center-forward play over a number of preseason games.
Sancho was first chosen by Ten Hag to lead United’s attack during the first preseason game against Leeds United, despite previously only being considered as a potential striker by a select few.
The 23-year-old’s defining moment of the preseason came when he scored the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal after showcasing his superb dribbling against Leeds and then against Lyon.
Aston Villa has expressed interest in Sancho as a result of his outstanding preseason play, and they may opt to try to entice him away from Old Trafford before the transfer deadline.
In the end, both players are qualified for the position, but Sancho should start as United’s striker on Monday when they visit Wolves at Old Trafford.
Rashford prefers to play on the wing because it gives him more opportunities to see the ball, while Sancho has proven to be far more productive in his new position than he was as a winger last season.
If Sancho performs well against the Wolves, he might be just what Ten Hag needs in addition to Hojlund as United looks to manage the crowded calendar of games that lies ahead.