The decision to play Marcus Rashford against Liverpool “backfired.” Said Ole Gunnar after the striker went off with a back injury in the 80th minute against Wolves.
Rashford came on as a 64th-minute substitute for Daniel James. With 16 minutes of play, Rashford went off in the 80th minute with Jesse Lingard coming on.
Despite the injury, Manchester United managed to beat Wolves 1-0 in their FA Cup third-round replay.
Rashford’s injury remains a scare to United who will play away with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Solskjaer said Rashford, “Couldn’t run. He will be tested in the next few days we have to see for Sunday.”
“I didn’t want to play him. I think he got a knock, a knee or something in his back. But he has been struggling for a little while.”
“That is why we have kept him away from starting with Wolves. But we needed the win.”
Asked if the decision to play Rashford backfired, Solskjaer answered, “He was involved in the goal. So that was a positive. But it backfired.”
“He is a quick healer and he will play through some pain definitely if he is capable and it’s not a bad injury. But we have seen that he’s struggled lately.”
“But that’s been more when he’s been tired. He wasn’t on long enough to be tired. So, it might be something that just happened there and then.”
“He’s been top this season. so, we’ll do anything and everything we can to get him fit for Sunday. If he is not, then we’ll play without him.”
“He’s been like a one-man team”
Former United midfielder, Darren Fletcher suggested an injury to Rashford would be a concern because of how vital he is to the team.
“The fact he has played 200 games already at such a young age, he is so important.” Said Fletcher.
“They are largely becoming reliant on him. Rashford carries a load in terms of driving the team up the pitch, getting shot, goals and assists.”
“He has almost been like a one-man team.”
The Times chief football writer, Henry Winter says the club needs to be careful “not to flog” the players too much by playing them in too many games.
“It is interesting listening to ex-professionals saying he is not quite running as freely as they would expect and is holding something back.” Said, Winter.
“I understand why Manchester United has to play him and I understand his mentality. He loves this club, plays for the shirt.”
“He is United’s most important player. But at some stage we have to take a step back and say; let’s not flog these players too much.”
“It is not an England thing. This is about making sure he is ready for United over the next few years and not burning him out too often.”