Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans START together for Man Utd as Rashford keeps place despite axe fears

MARCUS RASHFORD survived the axe for Manchester United’s clash with Brentford as Harry Maguire returned to the starting line-up.

The 25-year-old Rashford hit a career-best of 30 goals last season but has been on a poor run of form of late.

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Marcus Rashford survived the axe for Manchester UnitedCredit: EPA

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Harry Maguire returned to the starting line-up for his first Prem start this termCredit: Reuters

Sun Sport exclusively revealed that England forward was facing the chop for today’s Premier League clash with the Bees.

But he survived despite Ten Hag making a number of changes to his side – including a recall for Maguire alongside veteran Jonny Evans as he looks to plug his injury-ravaged defence.

Rashford has just one goal so far this term as United have slumped to five defeats in their last seven games.

Boss Ten Hag hinted yesterday that the misfiring forward could be benched – although he insisted he still had his full support.

The Dutchman said: “There is the team and him —  and there’s both. It’s normal that you are not always right in the same levels.

“Everyone knows his qualities. We’ve seen he is getting in good positions.

“He is struggling but it will pass. Everyone at United backs him, the whole team supports him and believes in him. I am sure with that it will change.

“It will come. The momentum will come and he will be on fire.”

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Rasmus Hojlund leads the attack with Rashford on the left and Bruno Fernandes out on the right, either side of Mason Mount.

Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat line-up in the middle of the park while Andre Onana keeps his spot in goal.

Ten Hag was without his entire first-choice backline after Raphael Varane was the latest to be ruled out through injury.

That led to Maguire being handed his first Premier League start of the campaign.

And he was partnered by 35-year-old Evans – who only returned to the club on a free transfer this summer to begin his coaching journey.

The veteran Northern Irishman made his second debut and the 200th United appearance last month against Burnley.

He had a goal disallowed before then silencing some doubters with his brilliant role in the only goal of the game.

The ex-West Brom star’s piercing long bass picked out Fernandes for a scorching volley.

And Evans was on the winning side again at Old Trafford today as Scott McTominay struck twice in stoppage time to secure United a crucial 2-1 victory.

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Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire were the two centre-halves tasked with stopping BrentfordCredit: Alamy

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