Manchester United fans have been eagerly awaiting news on the injury status of Marcus Rashford, who was forced off the pitch during the club’s recent victory over Brighton. While the extent of his injury is still unknown, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have found a worthy replacement in the form of a Colombian forward. Erik ten Hag, the Ajax manager, has reportedly given the green light for the player to consider a move to Old Trafford as Rashford’s successor. This could be the news that United fans have been waiting for to take the edge off their concerns about Rashford’s injury.
Manchester United’s U-21 forward Mateo Mejia has been training with the first-team squad ahead of their game against Nottingham Forest. United boss Erik ten Hag invited Mejia to train with the senior team after the loss of Marcus Rashford to injury. The young Colombian already had the opportunity to train with the first-team back in February, but he was once again called up to pad out the numbers. United are still playing on three fronts, and the number of games they have played this season is starting to take its toll, with Rashford picking up a muscle injury, which could sideline him for the season. Martinez is also out for the remainder of the season due to a fractured metatarsal.
Despite the injuries, there is hope for the team regarding the next generation, with Mejia being highly valued by the youth staff, and he is working his way towards the fringe of the first-team. Originally born in Spain, Mejia received a call-up for Colombia’s U21 squad back in 2022, which means he is also eligible to represent the South American nation at the senior level.
The fact that Ten Hag is prepared to call upon the club’s academy stars in training shows that there is a clear pathway to the senior team. Dutchman Ten Hag has been blooding in a number of youth players since replacing Ralf Rangnick last summer, and he has been partially responsible for Alejandro Garnacho’s drastic rise to prominence this season. Fellow youngsters Isak Hansen-Aaroen, Zidane Iqbal, and Dan Gore also took part in the session while the majority of United’s senior players were recovering from the frustrating draw with Sevilla. The Red Devils’ U21 team is not in action until Monday night when they travel to Leicester, which means Ten Hag could call upon some of the club’s young players for the trip to the City Ground. The team has a busy schedule, with a game in Spain against Sevilla next Thursday and an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton upcoming at Wembley next Sunday.
As Man Utd fans eagerly await the return of Marcus Rashford from injury, Erik ten Hag’s decision to give Colombian forward an opening has certainly caught the attention of the club’s supporters. With the potential to make a big impact and fill the void left by Rashford, this is an exciting time for Man Utd as they gear up to take on their next challenges. Stay tuned for more updates on how this transfer opportunity unfolds and how it could impact the team’s performance on the pitch. Until then, keep supporting the Red Devils and don’t forget to stay up-to-date with all the latest Man Utd news here on Sport.
