Marcus Rashford offered to play through the pain for Manchester United as Michael Carrick fought to keep his job. The forward has been sidelined with an injury for the last five games in all competitions.
His absence was due to a hip injury he originally sustained at the World Cup in the summer. The problem was aggravated in the opening weeks of the campaign, and also spread to his groin.
Rashford's offer rejected
It means that the striker has been forced to watch from afar as United fell into the Premier League relegation zone. It is, though, claimed that he offered to help despite the injury.
BBC Sport reports that Rashford was keen to play a role in the squad during United's struggles in the past few weeks. Despite the injury worsening, he offered to be a bench option for the loss to Chelsea at the end of last month.
However, United rejected the suggestion, deciding it was too great a risk. The club didn't want to risk causing further damage and the forward being out for longer as a result.
Recovery and return plans
It seems that decision has paid off, with Rashford hoping to be available for when the Premier League returns after the international break. United return to action on 22 November with a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
The 29-year-old travelled to Dublin last week to see a specialist, and a recovery programme has been put into place, with the aim of returning in just over a week's time.
Pochettino's expected debut
His potential return will come as a timely boost to Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to replace Carrick as manager. Carrick was sacked on Thursday after days of speculation over his future.
The Liverpool game is expected to be Pochettino's first game in charge as he looks to make an immediate impact at Old Trafford. The return of Rashford will only be a positive, as it adds to the attacking options available to him.
Rashford is yet to score following his return from a loan spell with Barcelona in the summer. He was heavily linked with a permanent move to the Nou Camp in the summer, but the Spanish giants rejected the chance to trigger the £26 million buy clause in his contract.
That decision led to him staying at Old Trafford. He was a regular in United's starting line-up under Carrick, starting four of the seven Premier League games he has been available for.
