Marcus Rashford: Man Utd forward “touch and go” to feature before end of season, says Solskjaer
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted Marcus Rashford may not play for the club again this season.
Rashford has been out of action since mid-January with a double stress fracture in his back, last playing in United’s FA Cup third-round replay win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
When the injury was first diagnosed, the hopes were that Rashford would be out for around six weeks before returning. These were aided by Rashford himself, who claimed he would be back before the end of the campaign to help United’s push for a top-four finish.
Marcus Rashford’s injury woes: Five things to know…
- Marcus Rashford last played for Man Utd on January 15.
- The 22-year-old suffered a double stress fracture in his back.
- He was expected to be about for at least six weeks.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted Rashford could now miss the end of the season.
- Rashford’s place in England’s Euro 2020 squad is also currently in doubt.
United are currently seventh in the Premier League with 12 games remaining but sit just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea after beating the Blues 2-0 in a controversy-dominated match on Monday evening.
The Red Devils now turn their attention to the Europa League and the trip to Belgium to face Club Brugge in the first leg of their last-32 tie against Club Brugge.
They do so with Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Odion Ighalo as their striking options, having signed the latter on a six-month loan in January to deal with the absence of Rashford.
But United may need to rely on the trio for longer than initially planned, after Solskjaer’s latest update on the fitness of Rashford.
According to the Norwegian, Rashford might not make it back to fitness before the end of the season, which would also throw his Euro 2020 place into doubt.
“I would hope he’s playing this season,” he told reporters.
“It will just be touch and go towards the end. Hopefully we can get through this tournament and prolong the season.
“It takes time, I’m not a doctor. I was hoping he would recover quicker than what it looks like he’s going to be out for. Another few months definitely.
“If he’s not fit enough he won’t go (to the Euros).”
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Solskjaer: Man Utd won’t rush Rashford back
With Harry Kane also currently injured, England fans may be fearing over their striking options ahead of Euro 2020, with Gareth Southgate’s men looking to win the tournament with the final at Wembley.
The 26-year-old Tottenham Hotspur striker has had injury problems before and was brought back early last summer ahead of the Champions League final against Liverpool, but struggled and carried his problems into the Uefa Nations League finals.
But Solskjaer insists the club will not rush Rashford, allowing the young striker enough time to recover fully.
“He had a scan and it was maybe more severe than what we hoped and expected,” he added.
“He felt fine a few days before that.
“I didn’t know it takes that time to recover. When it heals he will be stronger for it so it’s important we don’t rush it.”
