Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that England international Marcus Rashford might not play again for the Red Devils this season.
The United boss added that the striker is also a major doubt for the European Championship in the summer. The injury update will come as a huge dissapointment for England manager Gareth Southgate.
FutballNews reports that Rashford suffered a double stress of the back during United’s FA Cup win against Wolves in January and the England striker is set to be out for at least six weeks.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s Europa League match against Club Brugge, Solskjaer disclosed that Rashford’s recuperation has not gone as well as expected.
Solskjaer said: “I would hope he’s playing this season. It will just be touch and go towards the end.
“Hopefully we can get through this tournament and prolong the season.
“It takes time. I’m not a doctor. I was hoping he would recover quicker than what it looks like he’s going to be out for. Another few months definitely.
If he’s not fit enough he won’t go (to the Euros).”
Rashford, himself, claimed recently he would be back before the end of the season. In the immediate aftermath of that, he was quick to try alleviate concerns that his season was over, tweeting: “I’ll be back before the season ends to hopefully help my team claim top four.”
The striker missed the crash at Anfield on Sunday when United suffered a terrible defeat. Rashford’s absence is said to have played a crucial role in United’s setback. Liverpool are now 30 points clear of United with a game at hand.
But Solskjaer, who had initially suggested his leading scorer would be out for a matter of weeks, explained: “He had a scan and it was maybe more severe than what we hoped and expected. He felt fine a few days before that.
“I didn’t know it takes that time to recover. When it heals he will be stronger for it so it’s important we don’t rush it.”
