Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has revealed that Marcus Rashford was taken off during the club’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Everton after the forward felt a physical problem.
Rashford had been one of United’s more dangerous attacking players at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, but his afternoon ended in the 70th minute with Manchester United leading 1-0. Patrick Dorgu came on in his place, with Carrick later explaining that the decision was forced by Rashford feeling “a bit of something.”
The substitution initially raised questions because Rashford had looked lively on the left and was building a strong understanding with Luke Shaw. Carrick, however, said the England forward had been performing well since returning to the Manchester United side and was again looking sharp against Everton.
“He’s done very well,” Carrick said, adding that Rashford had created good opportunities and remained a major threat before his withdrawal. The manager also praised the connection between Rashford and Shaw, saying their familiarity was evident and that there was more to come from the partnership.
Rashford’s withdrawal became more significant as the match developed. Bryan Mbeumo had put United ahead shortly after half-time before Everton equalised through Tyrique George in the 83rd minute. Benjamin Šeško restored United’s advantage with a header five minutes later, only for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to produce a spectacular long-range finish in the sixth minute of stoppage time to rescue a point for Everton.
Carrick was left frustrated by the result, particularly because United had twice been ahead and appeared to have done enough to secure all three points. He said his side had played good football for significant periods and defended well for much of the contest, but became less secure as Everton increased the pressure late in the match.
The draw also leaves United with four points from their opening three league matches, after a 2-0 defeat at Hull City and a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town. The club have also conceded twice in each of their first three league fixtures, meaning defensive game management remains an issue despite the improvement in their attacking play.
For Rashford, the immediate concern will be the extent of the problem and whether it affects his availability for United’s next fixtures. Carrick did not provide a detailed diagnosis, so it would be premature to describe the substitution as a confirmed injury. His status will need to be assessed before Manchester United’s Champions League opener against Sabah and the Premier League meeting with Manchester City that follows.
Rashford’s return to a more prominent role at United had been one of the notable developments of the opening weeks of the season after his loan spell at Barcelona last season. His performance against Everton offered further encouragement, but the physical issue and his early withdrawal have now added a new question for Carrick as United prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.
The bigger concern for United, however, may be that losing Rashford was not ultimately what cost them victory. They twice held the lead and were unable to close the game out, conceding a stoppage-time equaliser despite having a second-half advantage. The result therefore leaves Carrick with both a fitness question over Rashford and a tactical one over why United could not protect another winning position.
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