Man Utd fear Rashford could be out for 'a number of weeks' as striker gives five-word update

Manchester United face a nervous wait over Marcus Rashford amid fears the striker could be ruled out for several weeks.

Rashford has been United's stand-out player this season, scoring 27 goals and providing 10 assists in all competitions for Erik ten Hag's side.

Without Rashford's goals, United would be 10th in the Premier League – below Brentford, a stat which highlights his huge importance to the team.

He impressed again on Saturday as United beat Everton 2-0, with the England international setting up Anthony Martial to score the home side's second at Old Trafford after Scott McTominay had put them ahead.

But the match ended on a sour note for United, when Rashford was forced off with around 10 minutes to go with what appeared to be a groin injury.

Speaking after the match, Ten Hag admitted he had major concerns over the injury.

"We have to wait and see what it is and how bad it is," he told BT Sport. "It doesn't look well.

"We have to protect our players - everyone wants the best players on the pitch, everyone wants to see great, entertaining football like you see today, but then you need your best players."

United are yet to provide an update on Rashford's injury but The Sun claim the striker will miss Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla.

It is also claimed that United fear Rashford could be ruled out for a 'number of weeks' in what would be a hammer blow for the club's top four hopes.

Ten Hag fumes at Premier League fixture scheduling

After the win over Everton, Ten Hag criticised the congested fixture list and the scheduling of United's matches, believing they contributed to Rashford's injury.

"It's too much. Especially when you play last Sunday night and then the first game on the Saturday," Ten Hag told the BBC.

“In the week, you have to make the game against Brentford, the game instead of the Carabao Cup. So you get punished for reaching the final, so it is not right.

"I don't know [about Marcus]. It is like this when you have to play so many games in short notice, especially when the schedule is this tight. Players can't recover and you run the risk that players can get injured. You have to be aware of that.

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"You can't say [exactly what has happened], even when you speak to him. We have to wait until tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, then we will see what is the diagnosis.”

However, Rashford has given fans hope he could return sooner rather than later after posting a message to supporters on Instagram.

Replying to a post from United congratulating him for reaching 350 games for the club, Rashford wrote: "Plenty more in the tank", followed by a love-heart emoji.

It is also likely to be a reference to his ongoing contract negotiations with the club, with the striker out of contract in 2024 and in talks over a new long-term deal.