Erik ten Hag says more must be done to protect players after Marcus Rashford picked up a suspected groin injury in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Everton.
The Red Devils got back to winning ways thanks to goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial, in what was the club’s third Premier League game in the space of just six days.
Ten Hag expressed his discontent with the scheduling before the game, having played against Brentford on Wednesday night, as his side were only able to have two days rest before taking on Sean Dyche’s Everton in the lunchtime game.
Despite emerging victorious, the win has been overshadowed by Rashford’s injury.
The 25-year-old, who has been in electrifying form this season to score 28 goals in all competitions – including 20 since the World Cup – was forced off in the closing stages of the game to be replaced by Wout Weghorst, after clutching his groin and signalling to the bench.
Understandably, Ten Hag was less than pleased when talking about Rashford’s problem to BT Sport after the final whistle.
“We have to wait – he doesn’t look well. Once again, that is due to the schedule. It can’t be that you play three games in six days. We have to protect our players,” he said.
“Everyone wants the best players out on the pitch, everyone wants to see great entertaining football like today. But then you need your best players.”
Manchester United will now prepare for their Europa League quarter-final tie against Sevilla on Thursday, with an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton also coming up later this month.
