Erik ten Hag gives Man Utd injury update on Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans after Man City loss

Erik ten Hag revealed Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford were suffering from injuries in the build-up to Sunday’s Manchester derby, which prevented them completing 90 minutes.

The pair were replaced in the second period of Manchester United’s 3-1 loss at the Etihad, after Rashford had scored a sublime opener in the eighth minute. But United, who defended well for the opening hour, offered little more going forward and were soundly beaten by Manchester City.

Phil Foden netted a brace in the second half before Erling Haaland grabbed a third in injury-time as City ended the game comfortably stroking the ball from side to side.

The difference between the teams was encapsulated by the substitute benches, with United introducing Willy Kambwala, Antony, Sofyan Amrabat and Omari Forson, while City’s back-up options included the likes of Josko Gvardiola, Manuel Akanji, Mateo Kovacic and Julian Alvarez.

Asked about his decision to replace Evans and Rashford, Ten Hag revealed both players had been dealing with knocks in the day leading up to the derby and couldn’t be risked for 90 minutes. “I had to take them both off,” he said. “They fought to be in this game but after 60/70 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 goal-scoring, 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."

United were without eight players for Sunday’s game, with Evans and Rashford bringing the number of injury concerns into double digits.

“We are working on players returning and I think players will return in the coming weeks, so especially after the international break. Hopefully Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford is not too bad and that they recover and that we can use them in the next game against Everton,” said Ten Hag.

The 3-1 loss means United remain sixth in the table and are now 11 points off the Champions League places. The result also stretches the Red Devils' run to six defeats in seven against City.