The return to fitness of Anthony Martial has become all the more important given the confirmation from Manchester United that Marcus Rashford will be absent for the foreseeable future.
United's top scorer pulled up in the 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday just minutes after setting Martial up for the second goal. A quick chat with manager Erik ten Hag and a limp down the touchline had those inside Old Trafford fearing the worst.
'A few weeks' was the prognosis given by the club on Wednesday, with Ten Hag unable to offer a clearer picture in his pre-Sevilla press conference later the same day. "A few games," the Dutchman reiterated. "So that's the statement. I can't give more details on it because we don't now. We'll have to see it how it develops."
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There are fewer than two months of the season remaining and up to 16 more games to squeeze in, so the difference between a few weeks and a few games is significant. Rashford has scored around a third of his side's goals this season, 28 across all competitions . Bruno Fernandes is next with 10.
Despite playing fewer than 800 minutes this season, Martial is United's joint-third highest scorer, the Frenchman adding goal number seven at Old Trafford on Saturday. If Rashford's absence is extended beyond this week and games against Sevilla and Nottingham Forest, then Martial's availability will become even more crucial.
Relying on the 27-year-old's fitness is an undeniable risk, as has been proven already this season. His 17 appearances across all competitions have been spread throughout the campaign to the point where the Frenchman is yet to play more than three games in a month.
An appearance against former loan club Sevilla would end that run, after appearances off the bench against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton. What will concern Ten Hag more whether Martial can complete 90 minutes.
With Rashford out and goals from elsewhere lacking, Martial will be called on more and for longer periods. But for a striker whose 17 appearances this season have averaged just 46.9 minutes each, being sharp for a full 90 is a big ask.
"We don't have to force things, we are careful," Ten Hag said of Martial's return on Wednesday. "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. 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."
United's attack has been far more potent with a mobile No.9, whether that be Rashford pre-injury or Martial. Antony and Jadon Sancho have looked settled on the wings, while either Marcel Sabitzer or Bruno Fernandes have enjoyed creating in behind. But if Ten Hag wants to maintain that dynamic then the United chief will have to rely on Martial for 90 minutes, something he has not managed all season.
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