Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will have a decision to make on Marcus Rashford’s involvement in Thursday’s Europa League tie with Sevilla, as the England forward has made the journey to Spain with the rest of the United squad and been named in the Dutchman’s squad. Rashford has missed the last two games through injury, but could make his return to help the Red Devils reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Rashford’s place in Ten Hag’s squad confirmed that he has made the trip with United to Seville ahead of their crucial European tie, having taken part in training and would provide a major boost after the Dutch boss did admit that there was a chance of Rashford returning for the game.
United held a 2-0 lead in the first leg at Old Trafford but two second-half own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire ensured that the La Liga side would have more of a chance in the tie ahead of the rematch on Thursday.
Rashford limped off in United’s 2-0 win over Everton with what appeared to be a groin issue, as fitness worries have grown in recent weeks at Carrington with several of Ten Hag’s stars suffering injuries that could derail the remainder of their season as United are still competing on three fronts.
Rashford missed the first leg against Sevilla and the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, while Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Scott McTominay, Marcel Sabitzer and Malacia have all recently been sidelined.
How many will return for the Sevilla tie remains to be seen, though Bruno Fernandes is confirmed to be out through suspension having picked up a yellow card in the first leg. Rashford, Shaw, Sabitzer and Malacia have all been named in the 21-man squad to face Sevilla – but McTominay, Varane and Martinez all are expected to remain in Manchester to continue their recovery from injuries.
Ten Hag previously hit out at the Premier League following Rashford’s injury and claimed that the team’s busy schedule was to blame for the muscle injury he suffered.
“Some things you can’t avoid but this was avoidable,” Ten Hag said after victory over Everton regarding Rashford’s injury. “Why was the Premier League giving us the late late Sunday night game and the early Saturday game? I think it is not right.
“You run the risk that players can’t recover that quickly. All the science and research tells you the players need a certain period to recover. If it is one game after another, it accumulates. We are now finding ourselves in this situation and now we can only pray he [Rashford] is not drooping off.”
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