Erik ten Hag hit out at the Premier League schedule as he was left frustrated after Marcus Rashford picked up a suspected groin injury.
Manchester United beat Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial, in what was their third match in the space of third days.
Ten Hag spoke ahead of the match about his frustration with the scheduling, that left his side facing the Toffees in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off despite being in action on Wednesday night against Brentford.
While it was a successful afternoon in terms of the result for United, and Christian Eriksen’s return from injury, there was real concern late on as Rashford was forced off.
The forward, who has scored 28 goals for United this season, with 20 of those coming since the World Cup, stretched for the ball and immediately grabbed his groin, signalling to the bench. He trudged straight off and down the tunnel as Wout Weghorst was introduced.
It remains to be seen how serious the issue is, with United next in action on Thursday night as they host Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie, with an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton also to come later this month.
Ten Hag admitted after the match that the outlook did not look positive, and he blamed the situation on the hectic run of fixtures.
“We have to wait - he doesn’t look well,” Ten Hag told BT Sport.
“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.
“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.”
