Manchester United prepare for their final game of the season on Sunday in what has been their worst ever Premier League campaign, as Ralf Rangnick takes charge of his final game for the Red Devils
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Man Utd’s worst ever Premier League season
Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace in their final game of a horrendous season on Sunday, following their last outing two weeks ago that ended in a 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
In the two weeks since that south coast affair, Ralf Rangnick will hope that a few of his players may be able to return to the side on Sunday, given the extra time off they’ve had to recover, although he still has five doubts ahead of this game.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Old Trafford and the expected return dates for those out injured.
Jadon Sancho
Sancho has missed out United’s last three games through illness, with the England international picking up a nasty case of tonsillitis which has ruled him out of action since the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on April 23, while it has also forced him to miss first-team training.
Rangnick revealed last month that it was likely the winger could be out for the remainder of the season with the issue, having been recovering in hospital. However, there may be an outside chance that Sancho can make it back for the final game of the season on Sunday, although he will remain a doubt.
Speaking on May 3, Rangnick said: “If [Jadon manages to return] then maybe in the last game. He was in hospital until this morning. He still doesn’t feel well so, for sure, not [for Brighton].”
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Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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Marcus Rashford
Fellow forward Rashford has also been struggling with illness after catching bronchitis last month, which saw him ruled out of his side’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton on May 7 and has also put him at risk of missing out this weekend.
The England international will continue to be assessed ahead of the trip to south London but he will be hoping to at least appear in his side’s final game of the campaign against Crystal Palace on Sunday, especially if he seeks an exit from the club this summer.
Speaking on May 6, Rangnick said: “Marcus will be missing, he has caught bronchitis with high temperatures so he won’t be able to be part of the group.”
Eric Bailly
Defender Eric Bailly picked up a lower back issue ahead of the defeat to Brighton which subsequently ruled him out of that fixture, and it soon became unclear as to whether he would feature again this season, depending on the severity of his problem.
The Ivory Coast international has found his opportunities limited this campaign and last featured for the Red Devils on December 30 in the 3-1 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford, but it is hoped that he will make a return to the squad this weekend in order to provide cover from the bench.
Speaking on May 6, Rangnick said: “We have a question mark behind Eric, he called the doctor this morning and had some back problems. He’s being checked right now. We’ll have to see if he will be able to train afterwards.”
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba looks as though he has played his last game for United after it was revealed that the calf injury he sustained against Liverpool on April 19 was set to keep him out for the rest of the season, and he has failed to make an appearance since.
The midfielder had to be withdrawn after just 10 minutes from the Anfield clash, and the Frenchman has since been assessed and will need at least four weeks to recover, meaning a return before the end of the season remains unlikely, as he seems destined to move on this summer.
On April 22, Rangnick said: “The doctor told me that it will take four weeks, minimum, for him to recover and, since the last game is at the end of May, I don’t think it’s very likely that he will be able to play again.”
Luke Shaw
Left back Luke Shaw continues to step up his recovery from his most recent calf injury, in which he had two metal bolts in his leg removed six weeks ago, meaning that he will once again be out of action for United’s final game of the season.
After featuring for just 45 minutes of the 1-1 draw against Leicester on April 2, the England international is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines and it is almost certain that he will have to wait until next season to make his return to action as a result.
Speaking on April 15, Rangnick said: “He will be at least another four or five weeks. It will be difficult for him to be available for the outstanding games.”
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