Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has delivered an update on the fitness of Marcus Rashford following his early withdrawal in the Red Devils' 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The England international - who has failed to hit the same heights he managed in the 2022-23 season - was reinstated to the first XI at Old Trafford on Sunday after being dropped for Thursday's enthralling 4-3 loss to Chelsea.
However, Rashford was only on the field for 66 minutes before succumbing to an unspecified injury, being replaced by Antony for the final quarter of the match at the Theatre of Dreams.
Rashford's withdrawal came just one moment before Kobbie Mainoo's stunning strike put the hosts 2-1 up, prior to which Bruno Fernandes and Luis Diaz had also found the mark.
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.
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Ten Hag plays down Rashford concerns
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 Man 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.
The Red Devils 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 Man United, whose majority of concerns lie in defence, with no fewer than six rearguard members currently in the care of the doctors.
Which Man United players could be next out of the treatment room?
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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.
At the other end of the field, Anthony Martial was ruled out for 10 weeks in January due to a groin operation, meaning that the Frenchman should be on course for an imminent return barring any setbacks.
Ten Hag recently affirmed that it "depends" on Martial whether he plays for the club again, as his contract runs out at the end of the season, and he is expected to leave on a free transfer when his terms expire.
Ben Knapton
