Muscle injury sidelines red-hot Rashford for a ‘few games’

Marcus Rashford is expcted to miss a “few games” after picking up a muscle injury as Manchester United beat Everton 2-0 last Saturday. 

The England star, 25, has been in red-hot form for Erik ten Hag’s side this season, netting 28 goals in all competitions. 

He pulled up in the 80th minute against the Toffees and appeared to point to his groin as he headed down the tunnel at Old Trafford.

The injury left Ten Hag bemoaning his side’s heavy workload. He said: “[Rashford] doesn’t look well. This was avoidable. 

“All science and research tells you players need a certain time to recover. 

“It is also part of the schedule that we are now finding ourselves in this situation and now we can only pray he is not dropping off.”

United must do without Rashford when they face Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday and he is certain to miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest. 

He is also likely to sit out the return leg with the Spaniards while the FA Cup semi-final against Brighton on April 23 may also come too soon. 

But the Carabao Cup winners are confident Rashford will back for the season run-in as they chase glory at home and abroad. 

An update on the club’s official website said: “Subsequent assessment of the injury suggested that Marcus will be unavailable for a few games, but is expected to be back for the season run-in.

“His absence is a disappointment given his red-hot form this season, with 28 goals in all competitions. 

“But there will also be relief about the prospect of his return for important games in the final weeks of the season.”

In the meantime, Ten Hag will not budge from his belief that other players will step up in Rashford’s absence.

Speaking last month about the team’s reliance on their star striker, the Dutchman said: “We have many more players across the squad who can score.”