Mata hopes ‘on fire’ Rash will be ready for showdown at Liverpool

JUAN Mata is hoping to have Marcus Rashford back for United’s trip to face Liverpool in the Premier League at the weekend.

Rashford played just 16 minutes for United last night after suffering a knock in his side’s 1-0 victory against Wolves in the FA Cup third round replay.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made three changes from the side which defeated Norwich at the weekend, with Rashford one of three players who dropped out of the starting line-up.

The England international was brought on with the scores level but following Mata’s goal Rashford suffered a knock to his back after a challenge in midfield.

Rashford played just 16 minutes of the encounter at Old Trafford before being forced off through injury – but Mata hopes his team-mate can be back fit ahead of travelling to Anfield this weekend.

“I don’t know,” Mata admitted to BT Sport. “Hopefully Marcus Rashford isn’t too bad and he can be ready.

“He is on fire and scoring every game. It was a shame he couldn’t be on the pitch for more minutes, but hopefully it is nothing.”

Speaking after the match, Solskjaer admitted the decision to bring Rashford on ‘backfired’ for him but he hopes to have him fit for the weekend.

“Yes, it backfired,” the United manager said.

“You’ve got to take them once in a while. He’ll be tested in the next few days – we have to see for Sunday. He couldn’t run. He struggled a little bit with his back and got another knock. It didn’t help.”