Erik ten Hag has provided the latest on Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United forward came off against Barcelona with a knock.
The win showcased that they are capable of going toe to toe with anyone in European football right now, but Rashford’s fitness status could be a worry.
Rashford was withdrawn from the match in the 88th minute and was replaced by Scott McTominay after he had picked up a knock.
Ten Hag has provided the latest update on Rashford’s injury status in the build-up to the Carabao Cup final with Newcastle.
“The players are now coming in,” the manager explained (via Manchester Evening News.) “We have to do investigations, so straight after a game you can’t say. You have to wait for the medical [staff].”
Rashford is arguably the most in-form player in world football right now and he would be a huge miss from their squad if he was out for the final.
The 25-year-old has scored 24 goals this season and has scored more goals than any other player in Europe’s top leagues since the World Cup.
Despite the injury concern over Rashford, Ten Hag is relishing the chance to win his first trophy as Man United boss.
“It’s great we take every game serious, every league serious. If you play, you want to win.
“It’s a great opportunity to get the silverware in, football is all about glory and honour.
“We deserve to play in the final and we have a great chance to win the cup. The fans are waiting for it [a trophy], so we’ll do everything we can.
“You see the direction that we have to follow that line to improve, to beat the best.
“It is a great opportunity to get the silverware in. It’s about glory and honour in football. We deserve to play the final and have a great opportunity to win the cup.
“We are really waiting for it. We are doing everything to give fans their honour.”
Newcastle themselves will be without one of their key men as Nick Pope will be serving a suspension after being sent off against Liverpool.
When asked on the Pope situation, Ten Hag added: “That’s for them to sort. We know it. It’s definitely not an advantage [ for them]. We have to test it that’s quite obvious.”
Ten Hag was also asked about Newcastle’s time-wasting antics and whether that will come into play on Sunday.
“Yeah [they are]. For instance, so if you see the referees want to play an effective time. They have the lowest in the league and they are quite successful with it.
“So it’s up to us that we get speed in the game and we are also then dependent on the refereeing as well.
“I’m not in the instructions of the opponents, so I don’t know [if Newcastle will miss Pope’s time-wasting]. Also, I can’t influence that.
“We have to make it our game, so focus on the job and playing football when the ball is in the game, it’s about that, so fully concentrated on that.
“Don’t get distracted from what can be, whatever is on the pitch. We have to focus on the job we have to find our way and found out the moments we can strike.”
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