Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defends his use of Marcus Rashford despite injury problems

Rashford will travel to Granada despite picking up an injury in Sunday’s win over Brighton

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended his use of Marcus Rashford, with the Manchester United forward set to travel with the squad to Granada for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Rashford was forced with an injury shortly after scoring United's equaliser during Sunday's 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, having only just recovered from an ankle problem during the international break.

The 23-year-old took part in training at Carrington on Wednesday morning and Solskjaer later confirmed that he would be part of United's travelling party, though unlikely to start.

Rashford is carrying a persistent shoulder injury which may require surgery after this summer's European Championship having struggled with a back issue last season and has already clocked up 3,394 minutes this term in 46 United appearances.

Solskjaer insisted, however, that the England international will only play against Granada if there is no risk of further injury and that he would never select a player against the medical team's advice.

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“Marcus is travelling. We've got to make a decision tomorrow if he starts or if he's on the bench," the United manager said. “I don't think he'll be a 90-minute man. Let's see where he's at tomorrow.

“I don't pick players when we know there's a risk. Of course there's always a risk when you step onto the pitch and play football.

“If the medical advice is there's too much risk to play him, I will never ever play a player that we know about in advance, or if he's going to make it worse and it's a serious one.

“Marcus joined in training this morning. Let's see how he reacts. If there's any risk of making things worse, I'm not going to over-play him.

“His back has recovered but he's a tough one. He wants to play and give his all for Man United. It's also the responsibility of the player to tell us as he did on Sunday and say no it's too sore, I've got to come off.”