Manchester United have everything crossed as they sweat over talisman Marcus Rashford and his availability for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm).
With a staggering 16 goals in his last 18 games and 24 in total for the season, the revived England forward has been front and centre for the Old Trafford giants. But will they be without him at Wembley?
Rashford, 25, started the pulsating midweek victory over Barcelona in the Europa League and featured for 88 minutes before disaster struck. Rashford went down clutching his ankle and the Academy graduate could play no further part as Scott McTominay replaced him for the dying embers.
READ MORE: Every word from press conference
United and a raucous Old Trafford rightly celebrated European progression. However, their memorable win did not come without a cost as the in-form attacker faces a race against time to be fit to start against the Magpies at the national stadium beneath the famous arch.
United manager Erik ten Hag did not rule the player out when providing an update during his pre-match press conference, but there is also no certainty that Rashford will play, either - especially if his cryptic story on Instagram is anything to go by. Should United be without the forward on Sunday they will no doubt have to adapt to counter for the significant loss.
Here are three ways United could look to line-up without him in the impending Carabao Cup showpiece.
Perhaps the most-likely scenario, although it would be a little harsh on Alejandro Garnacho as he, realistically, competes with Antony and Jadon Sancho for a starting berth. With no Anthony Martial to contend with, Wout Weghorst has to play as the sole recognised frontman. However, as we will go on to later, there is a wildcard option for Ten Hag and his backroom staff to consider. Antony and Sancho have scored important goals during recent games, none more so than when the former struck to settle the scores against Barcelona.
Antony has yet to start following a return from injury. However, as mentioned above, he was sharp enough to make a telling impact on Thursday night. On the proviso he is not quite ready to last 90 minutes (plus extras or penalties), Fernandes could be tucked out wide with Sancho operating in the number 10 position. It would get Garnacho into the starting XI in any case.
Ten Hag might have form when it comes to springing a surprise with selection, but dropping Weghorst to get Antony, Sancho and Garnacho into the same team might be a stretch too far given the occasion. Should that happen, though, you would expect Fernandes to be deployed as a false nine... Now that hasn't exactly worked in the past, but never say never. Almost certainly the least likely contingency.
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