Going into the Liverpool game, Manchester United fans were quaking in their boots at the realisation of how dire their striker situation is.
Wayne Rooney was ruled out of the derby game by a hamstring injury. It was predicted that, for another consecutive season, Rooney would sustain an injury which would leave the Red Devils short up top.
The only logical choice for United’s striker, considering that James Wilson is currently in talks with several Championship clubs over a loan deal, is Anthony Martial. Despite only being 19 years old, he is clearly very talented and was the only remaining striker.
Instead, Wayne Rooney’s absence resulted in Louis van Gaal fielding Marouance Fellaini as a lone striker. The Belgian would end up putting in the worst, most lacklustre, performance of any player on field in a red shirt.
Hopefully, Anthony Martial’s cracking goal has staked his claim to be the first choice striker in Rooney’s absence.
Speaking to MUTV, van Gaal has revealed Rooney’s injury situation:
“He is injured so we have to take care of him,”
“I think he is very important for us and I don’t to take any risks so that’s why he doesn’t play today.”
“I don’t think he will play against PSV Eindhoven, but maybe he shall play at Southampton. We have to wait and see if he can play against PSV because we still have three days to go.”
Manchester United travel to PSV Eindhoven, for their first group stage match in the UEFA Champions League, on Tuesday.