Erik ten Hag has explained his reasons for not taking off Marcus Rashford earlier after watching the Manchester United star limp off injured against Everton.
United sealed a 2-0 win over the Toffees in Saturday’s early kick-off thanks to goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial either side of half-time,
Martial’s goal off the bench effectively ended the contest on 71 minutes with ten Hag subsequently making two changes with Fred and the returning Christian Eriksen coming on.
United fans watched on in horror however as Rashford was forced off 10 minutes after the goal with what appeared to be a groin injury.
Ten Hag told BT Sport post-match the injury ‘doesn’t look well’ with Rashford, who has scored 28 goals for the club this season, to undergo further tests to determine the extent of the problem.
Quizzed on whether he was tempted to take off his star man following Martial’s goal, ten Hag explained there has been no indication from Rashford in training this week that a problem could occur.
Rashford provided the assist for Martial’s goal, the 21st time the duo have combined with ten Hag also stressing he was eager for the two to get some valuable time on the pitch together following the Frenchman’s injury woes.
‘I did have that consideration,’ ten Hag told a post-match press conference when asked why he didn’t replace Rashford earlier.
‘But in that moment, you want Antony Martial who is just coming back, you want to bring him back into routines and togetherness.
‘Because when they are together we have two goal scoring, clinical players Who can finish games and that is what we need in the final stages of the season to be successful.
‘The other thing, there was no indication in the last days or this game [of an injury]. If there was of course then I would have taken him off.’
On wanting to see Rashford and Martial on the pitch together, he added: ‘Developing is also working on routines, working on cooperation.
‘You want to see them together and bring them together in situations where they can get into routines. That will give us benefits for coming games.’
MORE : Erik ten Hag picks out Bruno Fernandes as best player on the pitch as Manchester United beat Everton
MORE : Manchester United star Marcus Rashford suffers worrying injury against Everton
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