‘They fought’: Erik ten Hag confirms two players were carrying injuries heading into Manchester derby but still started

Erik ten Hag has raised fresh injury concerns after revealing that both Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans were carrying knocks heading into Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Manchester United fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of their cross-city rivals, conceding all three goals in the second half against the rampant treble winners.

Unfortunately for Rashford, his sensational, worldie of a strike in the eighth minute was ultimately rendered in vain, though it’s certainly a nice one to have in the catalogue.

Ten Hag entered yesterday’s game navigating a lengthy list of debilitating injury woes; the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw were all unavailable, while last summer’s blockbuster signing Mason Mount missed his 25th match of the term through a calf complaint.

Ten Hag provides brief injury update

Now, it seems as though the manager may be left with even fewer options when United host Everton at Old Trafford this weekend, as he told reporters post-match at the Etihad: “I had to take them [Rashford and Evans] both off. 

“They fought to be part of this game but after 60-70 minutes we had to take them off. It was not to our advantage. Jonny was playing brilliant. Rashy was a threat.”