Manchester United have been dealt a double injury blow with Marcus Rashford and Antony both suffering injuries during their latest pre-season tour match.
Rashford, who had a disappointing season last year with just eight goals, was forced to leave the pitch just before the hour mark due to what appeared to be a serious ankle injury. This occurred after Real Betis midfielder Sergi Altimira stepped on his right foot.
The 26-year-old striker indicated to the club’s newly-appointed physio Jordan Reece that it was an impact injury.
Despite his struggles last season, Rashford had looked in good form until his injury, scoring from the penalty spot and assisting Casemiro for the winning goal. Antony also had to leave the game early due to injury, after spending just 23 minutes on the pitch as a second-half substitute.
Antony’s frustration was evident as he removed his wrist tape and headed straight down the tunnel alongside a physio. His injury was less clear than Rashford’s.
These injuries come on the heels of the news that United’s new £59million signing Leny Yoro will be sidelined for three months with a suspected broken metatarsal. Yoro sustained the injury during only his second appearance for United, a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in Los Angeles, where striker Rasmus Hojlund was also injured.
Hojlund, who netted an early goal against Arsenal, was hit by a hamstring injury just minutes after his strike and is predicted to be sidelined for approximately six weeks. United’s fresh attacking recruit, £35.6m Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee, could step in to fill the gap left by Hojlund, leaving Ten Hag with significant selection dilemmas if the injuries to Rashford and Antony prove severe.
Rashford shone in Hojlund’s absence prior to his own injury. He confidently converted from the penalty spot for his team’s first goal in the 18th minute, levelling the score shortly after Iker Losada had given the Spanish side the lead.
Amad propelled United into the lead before Casemiro extended their advantage before the break. However, Betis ensured a tense finish with a Diego Llorente header following Rashford’s exit, before a raft of changes saw United introduce several young players for the final stages, yet still secure a victory.
