Manchester United have been dealt a blow with confirmation that Marcus Rashford is set for a spell on the sidelines through injury.
Rashford was substituted in the closing stages of United’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday with a groin problem. The club confirmed on Wednesday that he will be absent for “a few games” after scans revealed the full extent of the injury.
"A few games, so that's the statement,” Erik ten Hag said in his press conference. “I can't give more details on it because we don't now. We'll have to see it how it develops."
His absence will come a huge disappointment to Ten Hag, who will not be able to rely upon his steady stream of goals in coming games. Rashford is enjoying the most prolific campaign of his career, having scored 28 goals in 47 games in all competitions so far.
Only Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have scored more goals in Europe’s top five competitions this season. Rashford’s team-mates will have to step up in his absence.
Wednesday’s announcement means Rashford will miss both legs of the all-important Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla.
United host the Spanish side, who have won the competition a record six times, at Old Trafford on Thursday before travelling to Andalusia next week for the return leg. They have an away game at Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the Premier League between those European fixtures.
Rashford is likely to miss all three of those matches and, depending on how his injury heals, is also a doubt for the FA Cup semi-final against Brighton on April 23 at Wembley. United will be desperate to get the 25-year-old back for that game, as they look to add to the League Cup they won in February, but will be reluctant to rush him back.
A possible target for Rashford is the Premier League match against Tottenham on April 27 – a game which will be hugely important in the race for a top-four finish. United are currently three points ahead of Spurs with a game in hand, but with three competitions to compete in their squad will be stretched in the coming weeks.
Ten Hag will look to the likes of Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst to fill the hole left by Rashford. Martial came off the bench to score against Everton last weekend after a spell on the sidelines and is ready to start the upcoming matches.
"I think he is ready to start, but as I said, the front line did very well against Brentford and we picked the same against Everton,” Ten Hag said. “The advantage was we could bring Martial back slowly, giving him minutes, but I think already against Everton he was ready to start the game."
Weghorst has only scored two goals in 20 appearances since joining on loan from Burnley in January, but similarly has the trust of Ten Hag. The Dutchman has been on the bench for the past two games, against Everton and Brentford, but could be due a recall to the starting XI.
There is competition for places, however, with Antony and Jadon Sancho available to start on the flanks and Bruno Fernandes and Marcel Sabitzer available for more central attacking roles behind the strikes.
Fixtures Marcus Rashford could miss:
Thursday, April 13 – Sevilla (H)
Sunday, April 16 – Nottingham Forest (A)
Thursday, April 20 – Sevilla (A)
Sunday, April 23 – Brighton
