Erik ten Hag reveals Rashford injury update ahead of Forest

Manchester United forward who has been instrumental to their performance this season has been Ten Hag's key player since the turn of the year scoring 15 goals for his team.

Marcus Rashford missed the club's quarter-final first-leg match against Sevilla on Thursday night due to injury, but Erik ten Hag hasn't given up on the possibility that he will play in the second-leg match against Nottingham Forest at the weekend and Sevilla on Thursday.

Rashford sustained an injury during United's 2-0 victory over Everton last week, and concerns that the team's leading scorer would be out for an extended period of time increased. 

Rashford was unable to participate in Thursday's 2-2 tie at Old Trafford because of muscle damage, which was not as severe as first thought.

The 25-year-old was badly missed as Manchester United squandered a two-goal lead against Sevilla as they head to Spain for the second leg of the Europa League on Thursday. 

Ten Hag was more positive about Rashford's return ahead of United's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The English forward has played 47 games for United this season, scoring 28 goals and dishing out 10 assists. His involvement in the starting Lineup will be important to the team's pursuit of the top four.

Speaking ahead of their clash against Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag said, “There is a chance but I can't confirm it at this moment

United's manager has also criticized Premier League matches, claiming they were to blame for Rashford's injury.

Still speaking, he said, “Some things you can't avoid but this was avoidable. 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.

“No manager at this stage of the season would rotate so much. It was not necessary to set the schedule like this and from a sporting point of view, we want freshness.'

Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez both left the game against Sevilla with injuries and are expected to miss the game against Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Arteta revealed in the pre-match press conference that the 21-year-old defender will be forced to watch from the sidelines on Sunday after nursing a back injury that has seen him miss Arsenal's last three matches.