Manchester United fans can’t wait to see forward Anthony Martial return to full fitness, according to a recent poll conducted online. The Red Devils have been lackluster when it comes to creating chances and scoring goals so far this season and it has been affecting them so dearly in this current campaign. They have failed to kill of opponents that they should be securing wins against and it has played a huge role in determining where they are in the Premier League table at the moment. Their most recent game against Aston Villa, which ended in an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at Villa Park, once again displayed the need for them to have a very potent attacker upfront.

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo remaining a constant member of the team, he sadly no longer has the killer instinct he had in him to score goals. He has been missing some clear-cut chances in their past few games and it has not helped them. The 37-year-old is one of a number of attacking options available to Erik ten Hag, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial being the other two. While Rashford has been largely inconsistent with his performances so far this season, Martial has been struggling for form and fitness.

The French forward only recently returned from injury and resumed light training and even though it’s not yet known if he is back fully fit to play games fans have made a claim for him to start making it to the starting XI in for their next few games.

Manchester United will face Aston Villa again in their next match but in a Cup fixture this time around and fans have suggested that it is a very good time to integrate the forward back into the team gold as they look to win their next games before World Cup break later this month.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has stated that Marcus Rashford does not deserve a place in the Manchester United starting XI based on current form. The Ex-Liverpool defender made this known shortly after the Champions League last 16 first leg clash between hosts Atletico Madrid and Manchester United. Jamie Carragher told CBS Sports that England international Rashford has not proven that he deserves a place in the Manchester United starting line-up due to his form.

While speaking about the game which took place at the new Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Jamie Carragher said that his compatriot burst onto the scene as a teenager some years ago, but he has not been able to take his game to the next level. According to him, Rashford still has a lot of work to do to become a great player.

Rashford was heavily criticised for his poor performance against Atletico Madrid as his team dug deep to earn a 1-1 draw ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next team. He was substituted in the second half. The Englishman has made nine starts for Manchester United in the Premier League this season after missing the opening weeks of the season due to a shoulder problem. He had to undergo surgery last summer to solve the problem. Rashford has an attacking return of five goals and two assists in 22 games in all competitions this season.

England forward Rashford would be hoping that he retains his starting spot for the Watford game in the Premier League on Saturday evening thus giving him the perfect opportunity to answer his critics. Rashford and Manchester United are looking for a third league win on the bounce at the expense of the Hornets who are in the relegation zone. The Hornets are second from bottom on the league table.

LAFC’s latest acquisition – a 27-year-old Gabon international in the prime of his career – completes a staggeringly successful transfer window and solidifies the club’s status as MLS Cup favorite. Playing with AS Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, the top flight of French soccer, newly acquired LAFC forward Denis Bouanga entered his prime over the past three seasons, registering 28 goals and 16 assists in 110 appearances across all competitions. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)

Playing with AS Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, the top flight of French soccer, newly acquired LAFC forward Denis Bouanga entered his prime over the past three seasons, registering 28 goals and 16 assists in 110 appearances across all competitions. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)

LOS ANGELES — Just after noon on Friday, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi offered his final goodbyes to the Los Angeles Football Club. With his Tesla parked on the curb in front of the entrance to the LAFC performance center on the campus of Cal State L.A., the 28-year-old forward exchanged hugs with a trio of support staff, including the club’s head of security, Paul Abodaca, who is generally among the first people within the organization to see players come and go.

This past offseason Tajouri-Shradi joined the Black & Gold from New York City in exchange for $400,000 in general allocation money. He heads out the door to the New England Revolution for the same price.

Hampered by injuries since arriving, the forward’s seven appearances in 22 matchdays offered only glimpses of why the LAFC front office acquired him, including an MLS Goal of the Year candidate at Banc of California Stadium against Sporting Kansas City. That potential was enough for New England head coach Bruce Arena to ring the phones of LAFC front office executives John Thorrington and Will Kuntz.