Manchester United have two players in trouble ahead of Copenhagen Champions League clash

Fernandes has been a vital asset for United ever since touching down from Sporting Lisbon back in the January transfer window of 2020.

Without him, their malaise in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement could have been even worse.

As for Rashford, the England international netted 30 goals across all competitions last season.

That was enough for him to earn a bumper new deal at Old Trafford, having finally seemed to have turned a corner following years of inconsistency.

At the beginning of the campaign, United were being tipped to challenge the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal for the title - having bolstered all areas of their squad.

However, that's not happened with the club instead enduring a torrid start to the new campaign.

And as United prepare to face Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night, they need their two best players to start delivering.

Fernandes, as mentioned above, has long been the beating heart of Ten Hag's side.

He is, perhaps, the best signing the club have made since Ferguson packed his bags and walked off into the sunset a decade ago.

For Portugal, he's unstoppable. A manager's dream, according to Roberto Martinez.

The 29-year-old was particularly impressive during the recent international break, managing three goal involvements in two matches.

For United, however, his form has dropped off a cliff.

While he got an assist against Sheffield United over the weekend, Fernandes has failed to shine since replacing Harry Maguire as captain.

He has scored just three times for United - in matches against Nottingham Forest, Bayern Munich and Burnley.

And the assists have started to dry up, too, with the playmaker clocking up just three as well.

United know Fernandes, when operating at the peak of his powers, is one of the best players in the whole of world football - instead of the erratic

So they'll need him to step and count as they look to get their Champions League campaign back on track.

Regarding Rashford, he has looked a shadow of the player who electrified the Premier League last term.

The 25-year-old, who is now the club's best-paid player, has scored just a solitary goal for United so far.

Many fans are calling for teenage talent Alejandro Garnacho to be deployed on the left wing as the Red Devils look to salvage their season.

But Ten Hag is likely to persevere with Rashford for a little while longer, including for tonight's match.

The two players are both in trouble.

And it'll be fascinating to see how United fare as they look to get the pair back to their best.

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Their season hinges on it.

Qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League hinges on it, too.

And, whisper it quietely, so too might Ten Hag's job.