Manchester United hit by Rasmus Hojlund injury blow after record Premier League streak

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has been ruled out of the derby against Man City with a muscle injury that could sideline him for three weeks.

The in-form striker might miss four games, starting with Saturday’s home match against Fulham and including Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Nottingham Forest.

It adds to manager Erik ten Hag’s injury problems after Luke Shaw was sidelined for months, potentially ending his season.

Hojlund has scored seven goals in his last six top-flight matches, becoming the youngest player ever to score in six successive Premier League games.

“It is a small injury, two or three weeks,” Ten Hag confirmed. “It is a risk in high-intensity training. It is not a big injury but he has to wait for two three weeks.”

Hojlund’s absence leaves Ten Hag short of strikers, with Anthony Martial ruled out until April, and Marcus Rashford likely to be deployed as a centre-forward.

Hojlund joins a lengthy casualty list, with Lisandro Martinez not expected to return until April and Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also unavailable.

“Of course that is an issue but other clubs have this and we have to deal with this,” Ten Hag said. “I feel we can deal with it better but still it’s an issue with the depth of the squad, and the squad have to prove it.”