(Football news) The England international was added back to the starting lineup at Old Trafford on Sunday after being left out of Thursday’s thrilling 4-3 loss to Chelsea. He has not been able to reach the same heights as he did in the 2022–2023 campaign.
But Rashford was only on the field for sixty-six minutes until he was forced off the pitch due to an injury that was not yet known. Antony came in for the last quarter of the game at the Theatre of Dreams.
Just moments before Kobbie Mainoo’s incredible goal gave the home team a 2-1 lead, Bruno Fernandes and Luis Diaz had already struck the back of the net. Rashford had to leave the game.
Man United could not cling onto their one-goal lead, though, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka chopped down Harvey Elliott inside the box late on, allowing Mohamed Salah to nick a point for Liverpool from the spot.
Concern quickly turned to Rashford’s condition, though, but speaking to MUTV, Ten Hag expressed hope that the Englishman would be back quickly, saying: “I’m not sure, but I don’t think it will be long term.”
Ten Hag’s admission will come as a relief to Manchester
Manchester United supporters, who have witnessed Rashford conjure up eight goals and five assists from 38 games this season, with seven of those strikes coming in the Premier League.
However, the 26-year-old has often been lambasted for a perceived lack of work-rate on the pitch in recent months, although Ten Hag insisted that the decision to drop him from the first XI against Chelsea was for fitness reasons.
Manchester United were already dealt a fresh blow before taking on Liverpool on Sunday, as Scott McTominay was missing from the squad due to an injury, the severity of which has not been disclosed.
McTominay and Rashford are now part of a nine-man infirm list for Manchester United, whose majority of concerns lie in defence, with no fewer than six rearguard members currently in the care of the doctors.
The luckless Luke Shaw is facing a race against time to be fit before the end of the season due to a thigh injury, but Ten Hag has revealed that he is on schedule to be back before the campaign is over.
Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are facing a few weeks out with calf and thigh concerns, while the seldom-seen Tyrell Malacia has spent the entire season recovering from a knee complaint and is yet to make an appearance this term.
In addition, both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans missed the draw with Chelsea owing to the knocks they picked up against Chelsea in midweek – thus forcing Ten Hag to start teenager Willy Kambwala alongside Harry Maguire on Sunday – but it is unclear how long both men will be sidelined for.
On the other side of the ball, Anthony Martial underwent surgery on his groin in January, which resulted in a 10-week absence. Barring any setbacks, the Frenchman should make an immediate comeback.
Since Martial’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign and it is anticipated that he would leave on a free transfer, Ten Hag recently stated that it “depends” on Martial if he plays for the team once again.
Also read: Manchester United will play Liverpool in EPL
