The question has been asked with increasing regularity this season: where would Manchester United be without Marcus Rashford?
Worryingly for Erik ten Hag, they may be about to find out.
When Rashford departed the stage rather gingerly in the 81st minute, grimacing as he reached down to his groin, a cloud appeared on a bright spring day at Old Trafford full of optimism.
A thoroughly deserved win over Everton on the back of a vibrant performance. The return of Christian Eriksen. The first goal of Anthony Martial’s latest comeback, and the reassurance that Casemiro is available again after serving a four-match ban.
The sight of Rashford going straight down the tunnel was enough to darken Ten Hag’s mood and make him question the fixture scheduling that saw United last up on Sunday and first up on Saturday, with a midweek game against Brentford sandwiched in between.
Manchester United may be forced to show that they can win without Marcus Rashford
It will be intriguing to see how Erik ten Hag’s side cope if Rashford’s injury is significant
Anthony Martial scored against Everton and could now have an important part to play
The schedule will not get any kinder between now and the end of a season that could hit the 65-game mark, and Rashford surely will not be the last United player to break down.
The striker will be assessed again by United’s medical staff on Monday, and Ten Hag must hope it is a false alarm. He used the word ‘pray’ on Saturday, and that didn’t feel too dramatic.
A day earlier, the United manager sat at Carrington and discussed the need for Rashford’s team-mates to share the goal-scoring burden.
‘We have the capabilities,’ said Ten Hag. ‘Jadon Sancho can score a goal, Bruno Fernandes can score a goal, Marcel Sabitzer can score a goal and Antony. The good thing is Anthony Martial is getting fitter and he can definitely score goals.’
Sounds good. But here’s the reality this season: Sancho five goals, Fernandes 10, Sabitzer one, Antony and Martial seven apiece. A total of 30, just two more than Rashford’s career-best tally of 28.
Even when he was not scoring on Saturday, he set up the second goal for Martial after Scott McTominay converted one of a hatful of chances United created in a one-sided first half. No United player has made more appearances than Rashford.
Bruno Fernandes was hugely impressive in midfield as United got the better of Everton
United have adapted to losing key players this season but his shoes may be a little harder to fill if he is ruled out for any significant amount of time.
As he waits for news, Ten Hag can reflect on a hugely promising performance — albeit against a strangely submissive Everton. Fernandes ran the show from deep midfield and United peppered Everton’s goal with 21 shots in the first half, their most since the 2003-04 season. Jordan Pickford’s saves averted a rout.
At the back, United were watertight except for one excellent chance wasted by Ellis Simms, dragging the ball wide.
Harry Maguire showed why there will be much interest in him if he decides to leave United
Harry Maguire stepped in to partner Lisandro Martinez and showed why there will be plenty of clubs willing to offer a regular starting spot if he decides in the summer that opportunities are too limited at Old Trafford.
United have won their last 10 games when Maguire starts.
‘I’m not going to stand here and say I love it or that I like it. I don’t,’ said the United captain. ‘I want to play every game and I have for the last eight years.
‘But it’s not like I’ve been frozen out or not been involved. I’m still playing a lot of games.
‘Every time I’ve been given an opportunity for the club this year, and for England in the World Cup and qualifiers, I felt like I’ve done myself justice.’
Everton defender James Tarkowski admitted that his side never managed to get into the game
If Rashford’s injury punctured the mood of optimism at United, Everton also came down to earth after a four-match unbeaten run that included late equalisers against Tottenham and Chelsea.
Only goal difference is keeping Sean Dyche’s side out of the relegation zone.
‘We just never got into the game,’ admitted defender James Tarkowski. ‘Jordan was fantastic but the second goal killed the game and the atmosphere went dead. We’ve got eight games to go and there are plenty more points to play for. It’s just a reminder of the levels we need to reach.’
