Man Utd: Marcus Rashford 'won't be fit' for Euros says expert
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is positive about recent tests on Marcus Rashford, who has missed nine matches in all competitions after suffering a back injury. The Norwegian coach expects the 22-year-old to be on the sidelines for at least another two months and insisted the striker won’t be rushed back until he is fully fit.
Rashford had been managing back issues ahead of their FA Cup third round replay against Wolves in January, but after being brought on as a substitute he aggravated the injury and hasn’t played since.
However, Solskjaer is hopeful Rashford could feature in the FA Cup and Europa League Finals, if the Red Devils reach them.
“The scan came back quite positive but we will give him the time he needs,” Solskjaer said.
“He’s desperate to come back, of course, but he won’t until he's fully ready.
Man Utd news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks Marcus Rashford can return in a couple of months (Image: GETTY)
“It’ll be another couple of months before we see him, we can't rush it.
“But when Marcus is fit he will be stronger for it and when he comes back it's going to be a big boost for us.
“He wants to be there when the business end comes so he wants the boys to do well so he can play in the Europa League and the FA Cup Final if we get through, and we also have the Premier League.”
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United have a Premier League clash against Everton today at Goodison Park and then travel to Pride Park Stadium on Thursday to take on Derby County in the Fifth round of the FA Cup.
The Red Devils are currently fifth in the league and are four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, although United do have a game in hand.
If Solskjaer’s men beat the Toffees, it will take them within one point of the Champions League qualifying places and the United manager is determined to qualify for the tournament on their own merit and not by default.
“We want to get into the top four,” Solskjaer said.
Man Utd news: Marcus Rashford picked up a back injury against Wolves (Image: GETTY)
“That’s been the aim this season and whatever happens with the others, we can’t concern ourselves about.
“We have to improve. We know we have to improve and that has to be our focus because in the end we want to challenge for the top.
“We feel we’re in good form at the moment and we feel Everton is going to be a massive game for us because they, of course, want to be in the challenge as well.
“So it’s a big game, a big test of how far have we come? Bruges are the only team in the last seven games who have scored against us so hopefully we can keep the clean sheets going and hopefully score a goal.”