Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that both Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans began Sunday's 3-1 defeat at rivals Manchester City with injuries, with the Red Devils duo subsequently unable to play the full 90 minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
Rashford put Man United into an eighth-minute lead with a subline 25-yard strike – his sixth career goal against Man City – while defender Evans was a standout performer in the first half for the visitors, who entered half time with a slender lead despite facing a total of 18 shots from the Citizens.
However, the reigning Premier League champions prevailed in dominant fashion after the interval, with a brace from man-of-the-match Phil Foden followed by a stoppage-time strike from Erling Haaland to condemn Man United to their 11th top-flight loss of the campaign.
Both Rashford and Evans were replaced within a six-minute period in between City's first and second goals, with the former withdrawn shortly after a strong challenge from Kyle Walker.
Ten Hag has since admitted that both Rashford and Evans were nursing knocks prior to kickoff and were not 100% fit to see out the contest.
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Speaking about the conditions of the Red Devils pair after the match, Ten Hag said: "I had to take them both off. They fought to be in this game but after 60 to 70 minutes we had to sub them off and it was not in our advantage I thought.
"Jonny was playing in that backline brilliantly. Rashy was a threat, not only the goalscoring, as I said before, I think he had three or four moments where he could have scored. He scored the first and he could have scored more."
Ten Hag later shared his views on the tackle from Walker on Rashford, one which at the time he vented his frustration towards on the touchline and was booked as a result.
"I will not say it was a tackle from Walker," said the Dutchman. "They ran, and Rashy confirmed to me there was contact.
"I saw it back. It was very soft. When you are on a full-speed run and get a touch, you are out of control, and I think that happened."
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Ten Hag is hopeful that both Rashford and Evans can make a swift recovery in time for next Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton at Old Trafford.
"Hopefully Evans and Rashford is not too bad and that they recover and that we can use them in the next game against Everton," said the Red Devils boss.
"We are working on players returning and I think players will return in the coming weeks, so especially after the international break."
Excluding Rashford and Evans, Man United currently have eight players on the sidelines, including Anthony Martial, Tyrell Malacia (both knee), Luke Shaw (muscle), Mason Mount (calf), Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire (both unspecified).
Lisandro Martinez (knee) and Rasmus Hojlund (muscle) both travelled with Man United to the Etihad, but they were not deemed fit to return to the matchday squad.
Man United's defeat at Man City leaves them sitting sixth in the Premier League table and 11 points behind the top four with 11 games left to play.
Oliver Thomas
