Marcus Rashford currently is one of the most in-form players in world soccer. Manchester United has benefitted massively due to his burst of incredible goalscoring form. This week was set to be their toughest and most important so far in the season. However, it looks like they have hit with an injury concern to their goal machine. And the fans are scared.
Manchester United had a difficult time after a dreadful last season. However, Erik ten Hag’s incoming to the club has been almost revolutionary. The Dutch manager has changed the look of the club, and quite a few players have made a significant leap in confidence and development. Marcus Rashford is clearly the most developed player in the whole squad.
After a disappointing Euro final penalty miss, Rashford has suffered 18 months of burnout. He has been massively out of form and Anthony Elanga was preferred over him. The 25-year-old ended the last season on mere 4 Premier League goals and was set to be sold to PSG in a quickfire transfer.
Marcus Rashford before and after the World Cup.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/pR0xWqGK7c
— Pryde (@utdmotion) February 17, 2023
Erik ten Hag, however, has completely changed the English forward’s confidence. He has become more direct and fearless than ever. Currently, he is sitting on 24 goals for the season in all competitions. And has made quite a few appearances in the best players’ bracket recently.
This week was very important for United. The return leg to Barcelona on February 23 and Carabao Cup final against Newcastle is three days later on 26th. Most certainly, they would’ve wanted to see their full-strength squad. However, that wish may have received a dent or two.
Fans react to Marcus Rashford’s injury scare
Manchester United took care of the first bit with ease. They dislodged FC Barcelona out of the Europa League round of 32 stages on a 2-1 scoreline on the night. Barcelona was successful to stop the most prolific man on the pitch, Rashford. But, the rest of the galvanized ten Hag’s men melted them.
Although United has the win, they might just need to pay a huge price for that. Rashford was taken off in the 88th minute of the match, limping. He took out his left shoe and walked around the side of the pitch with discomfort. Rashford went into the tunnels before having a small chat with ten Hag.
United hasn’t won a silverware for more than five years now. On Sunday, they finally have the chance against Newcastle United. But Rashford himself has scared the fans with his yesterday’s cryptic Instagram story. He posted a picture of himself with his left shoe in his hand with a bandage emoji on top.
Marcus Rashford on Instagram… #mufc pic.twitter.com/4nFFkzWNje
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) February 23, 2023
Why can’t we have anything nice! pic.twitter.com/hI5k5uHvdg
— Raz (@BigRhazz) February 24, 2023
Mind games for Sunday… pic.twitter.com/QVulnpooT1
— Phil (@Donz_____) February 24, 2023
Stop playing with me rashy…
— K 🇨🇦 (@UtdK__) February 23, 2023
I think he’s okay He walked off the pitch way before everyone tbf
— simmy (@simmy1k) February 23, 2023
Pretending to be injured to throw off Newcastle pic.twitter.com/ZRDLalDw0A
— fish🇮🇪🔰 (@spriteshouter) February 23, 2023
Oh no no nooooooo pic.twitter.com/PHjJ3nmUag
— 𝒥𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈🔰 (@1Unitedforlife) February 23, 2023
Some fans think Rashford is playing mind games to throw Newcastle United’s guard off. In contrast, some fans are convinced that Rashford is injured. One fan commented, “Why can’t we have something nice!” with utter frustration.
Erik ten Hag opens up about Marcus Rashford’s injury
Apart from Marcus Rahsford’s Instagram story yesterday, there have been rarely any concrete sources. Erik ten Hag himself talked about his star-man’s possible injury and availability for the Cup final on Sunday.
Well-known journalist of The Athletic, Laurie Whitwell has reported an exclusive inteview of the Manchester United boss. The Dutchman said, “I don’t know, the players now are coming in, we have to do investigations, medical of course, we did straight after the game, but most of the time you have to wait for a 100 per cent diagnosis. So let’s do the medical, the work, we have to wait,” about Rashford.
Ten Hag on Rashford: "I don't know, the players now are coming in, we have to do investigations, medical of course, we did straight after the game, but most of the time you have to wait for a 100 per cent diagnosis. So let's do the medical, the work, we have to wait." #MUFC
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) February 24, 2023
It does confirm, there might be something wrong with ten Hag’s star-man. He alongside the Manchester United will be hoping to see his season’s top scorer be fully fit for their shot at silverware in five years.