Marcus Rashford will be unavailable for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final game against Sevilla because of a muscle injury.
The forward was withdrawn in the 80th minute of Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton at Old Trafford and immediately headed to the dressing room for treatment.
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.
The England international’s 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, Erik ten Hag has expressed confidence in other players to step up while Marcus is out of the team.
“We have many more players across the squad who can score,” the manager said when asked last month if the team was too dependent on Marcus.
United have been boosted by the recent return to fitness of Anthony Martial, who scored the second goal on Saturday against Everton.
Wout Weghorst is another versatile attacking option and Ten Hag has highlighted the range of other goalscoring threats available from wide positions and midfield, including Scott McTominay, who scored the first goal against Everton.
“I think we have players like Bruno, like Jadon Sancho, like Anthony Martial, like Scott McTominay, like Antony,” Ten Hag said. “We have enough players with the capabilities to score goals, definitely.”
Christian Eriksen is also back in contention after returning from a lengthy injury lay-off with a substitute appearance against Everton.
And United are expected to welcome Casemiro back into the squad for Thursday’s clash with Sevilla after the Brazilian midfielder missed the past three Premier League games, plus the Emirates FA Cup tie with Fulham, due to suspension.
SEVILLA’S TRAVELLING SQUAD
Our opponents have announced a 22-man group that includes United left-back Alex Telles, who is on loan with them this season and is eligible to play.
The only change to the group that faced Celta Vigo last Friday is the inclusion of Lucas Ocampos, who was suspended for the 2-2 draw in La Liga.
The Argentina international takes the place of Senegalese midfielder Pape Gueye, who is not eligible to play in Europe for Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side.
As per a statement on Sevilla’s official website, the other players who are unavailable are Joan Jordan and Tecatito Corona due to injury.
Sevilla squad: Bono, Dmitrovic, Alberto Flores, Jesus Navas, Montiel, Bade, Marcao, Nianzou, Rekik, Acuna, Alex Telles, Gudelj, Fernando, Oliver Torres, Rakitic, Ocampos, Lamela, Papu Gomez, Bryan Gil, Suso, Rafa Mir, En-Nesyri.
