Rashford agony as Man United man out of Sevilla tie and FA Cup semi
Marcus Rashford agony as Manchester United’s top scorer is out of Sevilla tie and FA Cup semi-final… but boss Erik ten Hag backs forgotten man Anthony Martial to step up in his absence
- Rashford hobbled off in the Premier League game against Everton last weekend
- He is expected to return for the run-in but will be out for a short period of time
- United boss Erik ten Hag pointed out Antony Martial as a possible replacement
Emergency services rushed down Carrington Lane shortly before noon on Wednesday but for Erik ten Hag, a full-scale crisis did not extend to Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United’s standout performer during Ten Hag’s first year in charge has been ruled out for a few weeks with a groin injury sustained last weekend.
United expect to have the 28-goal forward back towards the end of the run-in, but he is likely to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Brighton on April 23.
‘A few games,’ Ten Hag said. ‘It’s a setback and he’s disappointed about it, but he’s not totally broke because he knows he will return quickly. He’s optimistic and he’s started straight on his recovery and his rehab so that helps to get back soon.’
Four fire engines, five police cars and an ambulance had earlier descended on the track leading up to United’s training ground after a vehicle crashed into a ditch, with nobody hurt.
Marcus Rashford has been ruled out for ‘a few games’ after picking up another injury
The forward’s absence will prove to be a huge blow for United as the season run-in begins
United have been training ahead of their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla
There may still be some panic around United given Rashford’s predicament — he has 20 goals in 28 games since the World Cup, just over a third of the squad’s overall total in that time — but Ten Hag backed Anthony Martial on Wednesday.
Martial, who has struggled with problems relating to his hip, hamstring, back and achilles this term, is ready to start against Sevilla tonight in a Europa League quarter-final if called upon. Casemiro is also available having not played for a month due to suspension.
Ten Hag thought about giving Martial the nod for last weekend’s victory over Everton, but instead introduced him from the bench to seal the points.
The strike was Martial’s second goal since December — he has only made seven appearances in that time — and Ten Hag was bullish about how much he offers United as they remain in the hunt for two more trophies. The issue has been keeping the Frenchman fit, because United have won on all of Martial’s nine starts this season.
Utd boss Erik ten Hag has backed Antony Martial (pictured) to step up in Rashford’s absence
The forward is likely to start against his former side, Sevilla, in the Europa League on Thursday
‘You say that I defended him but I just point to the stats,’ said the United boss. ‘The stats are telling you that when he’s on the pitch, the time he needs for a goal is less than for others.
‘When he is in the team, and I refer to games against Manchester City and Liverpool (in August), we play our best football and get the best results as a team. I see how he contributes to this team.’
It sounds like the time has come for Martial to step back into the limelight, against the club who took him on loan when he was no longer in Ralf Rangnick’s plans last year.
With one goal in 12 appearances in Spain — including losing to West Ham in the Europa League — Sevilla were not pushing to splash out on him last summer. In a way, he has a point to prove to them as well.
‘We don’t have to force things — we are careful,’ Ten Hag added. ‘The advantage is we can bring Anthony slowly back but in the team, give him minutes, get him used to the game at the highest level, to high intensity.
The United boss backed the forgotten man in his pre-Sevilla press conference on Wednesday
‘The front line against Brentford and Everton worked really well. I think continually we were a threat. It was difficult to defend for the opponent.’
Antony, the £86million Brazilian, was part of that but his end product has been criticised and the winger is still searching for a first league goal since October.
‘He has to work on that,’ Ten Hag said. ‘But he scored a really important goal against Real Betis and the winner against Barcelona. You cannot say they are not big games.
‘He can also do it in the Premier League. I have no concerns. He has to step up. He likes challenges. When he is in the team, it is winning.’
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