Rashford’s hip injury puts Manchester United Champions League milestone in doubt

Marcus Rashford is one appearance away from drawing level with Bill Foulkes and Ronny Johnsen for Manchester United in the Champions League, but a hip injury has put his chance against Como in doubt. The Peoples Person reports that United are managing the problem carefully after Rashford missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds.

Rashford was an unused substitute at Elland Road, even after Dominic Calvert-Lewin restored parity and United needed a goal. The Peoples Person also reported that Rashford was not spotted at the club’s light training session at Carrington earlier this week, leaving his availability for Wednesday’s match uncertain.

If he features against Como, Rashford will make his 35th Champions League appearance for United, matching former defenders Foulkes and Johnsen. He has scored 12 goals in his 34 appearances for the club, according to The Peoples Person.

The outlet says last week’s defeat to Atletico Madrid was Rashford’s 49th appearance in the competition overall. His other 15 came during spells with Aston Villa, for whom he made four appearances, and Barcelona, for whom he made 11.

Rashford’s European scoring record also stands out across his first 50 Champions League appearances. The Peoples Person, citing Opta, reports that he scored 17 goals in that span. Among English players, only Harry Kane, with 34, Raheem Sterling, with 20, and former United striker Andy Cole, with 18, have scored more in their opening 50 appearances.

Rashford was not the only United player absent from the light session: the report also named Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko. United’s verified injury list includes Mainoo, Shaw and Sesko, as well as Lisandro Martinez and Manuel Ugarte; Heaven is listed as out with illness. Heaven has made one league appearance this season, with no goals or assists.

Como and United kick off at 5.45pm on Wednesday. United are 13th in the Premier League with seven points from seven games, and their next league match is at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, October 25. For Rashford, the immediate question is whether he can recover in time to add the appearance that would bring him level with two former United defenders.