Marcus Rashford injury: how many games will the Manchester United striker miss?

Bad news for Manchester United and Marcus Rashford. The in-form striker, who has scored 15 Premier League goals this season and 28 in all competitions, was forced off the field in the 2-0 victory over Everton at the weekend and is now set for a spell on the sidelines as the Red Devils chase further domestic and European glory, as well as qualification for next season’s Champions League.

What injury has Rashford suffered and how long will he be out for?

United issued a statement on Wednesday morning confirming that Rashford had suffered a “muscle injury” and that he would be “unavailable for a few games”, starting with Thursday’s Europa League tie against Sevilla:

“Marcus Rashford will be unavailable for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final game against Sevilla because of a muscle injury.

The forward was withdrawn in the 80th minute of Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton at Old Trafford and immediately headed to the dressing room for treatment. Subsequent assessment of the injury suggested that Marcus will be unavailable for a few games, but is expected to be back for the season run-in. The England international’s absence is a disappointment given his red-hot form this season, with 28 goals in all competitions. But there will also be relief about the prospect of his return for important games in the final weeks of the season.”

Could the Red Devils win a cup treble in Erik Ten Hag’s first season?

The news will come as a big blow to United manager Erik Ten Hag, who has already won silverware – the Carabao Cup – in his first season in charge but will be hopeful for further glory in the coming weeks. The Red Devils are fancied by many to win this year’s Europa League and although they have been drawn to face competition specialists Sevilla in the quarter-finals, the Spaniards are having a poor season by their usual standards.

United will face Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on 23 April, a game which Rashford looks to be in real danger of missing. A first-ever Manchester derby in the final, which will be held at Wembley on 3 June, is a possibility, with rivals City facing Championship side Sheffield United in the other last-four clash.

United locked in a Champions League battle

The Red Devils could return to next season’s Champions League by winning the Europa League but they will hope to qualify through their league position in any case. Ten Hag’s men are currently in fourth place in the Premier League table, just three points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, although they do have a game in hand.

Despite being in the midst of a hectic run of games, United only have one Premier League fixture – away to Nottingham Forest - scheduled before a pivotal-looking clash away to Spurs on Thursday 27 April; could talisman Rashford be back by then?