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Thursday 16 January 2020 11:33, UK
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted his decision to bring on Marcus Rashford "backfired" after the Man United forward sustained a back injury in the 1-0 FA Cup third round replay win over Wolves.
The United striker landed awkwardly after tangling with Wolves full-back Matt Doherty and was replaced by Jesse Lingard in the 80th minute of the game, having come on as a sub himself in the 64th minute.
United went on to set up a fourth-round tie against the winner of the replay between Watford and Tranmere Rovers.
Rashford was the first United player to come on as a substitute before then being substituted himself in the same FA Cup match since Alan Smith against Liverpool in February 2006.
Rashford lasted just 16 minutes before being forced off.
"I didn't want to play him. I think he got a knock, a knee or something, in his back, but he's been struggling for a little while," Solskjaer said of Rashford, who has scored 19 times for United this season.
"That's why we've kept him away (from starting against Wolves), but we needed the win. He was involved in the goal so that was a positive but it backfired."
United face Liverpool live on Sky Sports on Sunday and the striker faces a race against time to be fit for the clash with the Premier League leaders at Anfield.
"He's a quick healer and he'll play through some pain, definitely, if he's capable and it's not a bad, bad injury, but we've seen that he's struggled lately," said Solskjaer.
"But that's been more when he's been tired. He wasn't on long enough to be tired so it might be something that just happened there and then.
"He's been absolutely top this season so we'll do anything and everything we can to get him fit for Sunday. If he's not then we'll play without him."
Rashford expressed his frustration at having to be substituted, writing on Twitter: "Never want to feel like I've let my team-mates, the club and most importantly the fans down so did my very best to carry on tonight and was gutted to come off.
"Top work from the lads to get into the next round."
Analysis from Darren Bent on The Debate
"It was a scary sight seeing him go down. He kept shaking his head as he was clearly struggling and wanted to come off.
"Gareth Southgate is probably thinking, 'oh no, not another one', and it didn't look good. He's been United's main source of goals, he's had his best season.
"It would be a huge blow to lose him for Sunday. He's been unplayable at times and he'll be a big miss. Rashford has built a great understanding with Anthony Martial so it's a big blow."
