Marcus Rashford hands boost to Erik ten Hag and Manchester United ahead of the derby against City 

Manchester United Marcus Rashford has given Erik ten Hag a boost ahead of the Manchester derby, as the club are ‘hopeful’ that he will be fit for the important Premier League fixture.

The Red Devils have been out of action since their Europa League win over Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol, with their two Premier League fixtures against Crystal Palace and Leeds being postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

This means that the team will not have played a game for almost a month ahead of the Manchester derby against Pep Guardiola’s City side on October 2.

Marcus Rashford could be fit for Manchester United’s return to action against Man City

Rashford has been absent for the team in their last two games after he picked up a muscular injury during the win over Arsenal. The injury meant that Gareth Southgate left the 24-year-old out of the England team for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany.

However, the attacker’s injury is not believed to be serious by the Manchester United medical team, and he will be available for the match against City, according to ESPN.

Before his injury, Rashford has started to show glimpses that he was getting back to his best form that had led him to be considered one of England’s brightest prospects.

Rashford was forced off with a muscular injury during Manchester United’s win over Arsenal

The forward has scored three goals and provided two assists in his six Premier League games so far this season.

Speaking about Rashford’s injury, Ten Hag said: ‘He’s not available, a consequence after Arsenal. He has a muscle injury.

‘I don’t think too long, but I don’t know. It’s not really bad, we expect him quite soon to be back in the team.’

Gareth Southgate (pictured) has said that Marcus Rashford could make the World Cup squad

Despite missing out on the England squad for the last time before the World Cup, Southgate has admitted that he still has a chance to be picked for the World Cup in Qatar.

He said: ‘Although our results were disappointing in the summer, we have picked on the basis of form and capability over a long period.

‘There were certain players we wanted to keep involved this time, but that said it doesn’t mean that this is the end for some of the others who aren’t involved.

‘Marcus Rashford, for example, has shown some encouraging signs recently. He is a player we know well so if he can perform at a high level in the next few weeks, he of course will be under consideration.’