Wednesday 13 September 2017 10:56, UK
Paul Pogba will be a "massive miss" for Manchester United, says Marcus Rashford, despite the strong squad at Jose Mourinho's disposal.
Old Trafford welcomed Champions League football for the first time in 657 days on Tuesday night, when Romelu Lukaku and Rashford wrapped up a 3-0 win against Basel following Marouane Fellaini's first-half header.
Despite securing the three points, there was a sour note for United with the sight of Pogba limping off after 17 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury.
Mourinho's initial prognosis was Pogba would be out for a "few weeks", although further assessment is required on the Frenchman who left Old Trafford on crutches.
He looks almost certain to be unavailable for Sunday's return to Premier League action at home to Everton, live on Sky Sports, and Rashford said: "Paul's going to be a massive miss and hopefully we can get him back fit as soon as possible.
"That's why you have such a strong squad. It's good for the manager, it's good for the players as well because we're always playing for competition.
"We have to play every game to win. If we want to be champions, then we have to win them types of games (like Sunday's). It's going to be difficult. Everton are a really strong team.
"They made some good signings in the summer and you know they've got strength all around the pitch so we have to come here and try and get the result."
Rashford is confident of this weekend building on Tuesday's "solid" start to Group A life against the Swiss side - a night when the 3-0 scoreline fairly reflected United's dominance.
For the 19-year-old, it was a first taste of Champions League football and, like so many times before, a competition debut he capped with a goal.
Rashford has looked bright in the start of the season but, much like Anthony Martial, has been unable to nail down a starting berth due to impressive attacking options the teenager believes are helping rather than hindering his development.
"It's difficult when you're in and out of the team, but we have to find the positives out of it and I think we have both done that," the England international added.
"I think the competition is always positive competition because we're improving each other every day when we're in training and in the games we're pushing each other more and more.
"It's a bit of a headache for the manager but it is a good headache to have."
