Manchester United are expected to be without their in-form striker Rasmus Hojlund for the Manchester derby against Man City on March 3 - live on Sky Sports; he has scored in six Premier League games in a row; Marcus Rashford is Erik ten Hag's only recognised striker available
Saturday 24 February 2024 15:24, UK
Man Utd' striker Rasmus Hojlund has suffered a muscle injury which is expected to rule him out for two to three weeks but Erik ten Hag has backed his other forwards to fire.
Hojlund is likely to miss the Manchester derby on March 3 in the Premier League, live on Sky Sports.
United could also potentially be without Hojlund for league games against Fulham and Everton just as they are making up ground on their rivals for the Champions League places.
Hojlund has been United's in-form player since the New Year, becoming the youngest player in the Premier League era to score in six consecutive games.
His form has seen United win four league games in a row for the first time this season, putting them within three points of fifth-placed Tottenham and five behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Hojlund's injury leaves United boss Erik ten Hag with Marcus Rashford as his only option up front due to Anthony Martial's long-term absence.
However, the United boss insisted he believes his attacking unit can continue to fire, even without Hojlund.
"[Hojlund] was lately very important," he said. "But main man? I don't see it that way. Because I think especially (Alejandro) Garnacho is playing very strong in the last games…
"'Rashy' (Marcus Rashford) is capable. [He has only scored five but] he can score. Lately, in our last games the frontline is an absolute threat, they score. Is it Rasmus Hojlund only? No, it's Garnacho, it's also Rashford, it's also Scott McTominay. Bruno (Fernandes) can score a goal.
"What gives me the confidence, in autumn the frontline wasn't scoring, they were not even a threat. In this moment they are in very good form and a threat continually. I am quite confident that even when Rasmus Hojlund is not there, it will go on.
"We can line up a frontline which is really strong. I don't think there is a frontline where the opponent thinks, 'pfft, that is easy'. No, they will fear our frontline I am sure."
United have now suffered two injury blows this week, following the loss of Luke Shaw for a "few months". The club are hoping he will return from his leg problem before the end of the season.
Asked about how he would cover the injuries, Ten Hag said: "All the players will get the opportunity to show their qualities.
"We saw players who didn't have the chance in the first half of the season or they were injured and now they will get opportunities."
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