Marcus Rashford is a shock inclusion in Manchester United's side to face Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

The teenage star has been suffering with illness and did not travel with the rest of the United players by train on Sunday. However, Rashford arrived at the team hotel later in the evening and was passed fit to play the club's medical staff.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial already ruled out through a combination of suspension and injury, Rashford's absence would have left Mourinho without a recognised striker to face the Premier League leaders.

Marcus Rashford (left) started against Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Monday evening

Jose Mourinho is without forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial

But in a major surprise, revealed by Sportsmail, he was able to make the starting line-up after all as United look to defend the trophy they won at Wembley last May.

United's doctors felt it was worth the risk even though United have a Europa League tie against Rostov just 72 hours later when Ibrahimovic will be eligible again.

The 19-year-old has made just 18 starts and scored seven goals this season after a sensational breakthrough at United in the last campaign.

However,Jose Mourinho claimed in the build-up to this game that it was always going to be a difficult year for the teenager and that he will be stronger again next season.

'After the season of the surprise, the season without pressure, he comes in and makes an impact. He feels free,' said Mourinho.

'The second season was always going to be a difficult one. It's the pressure, it's the people that know him, it's the expectation. Is he a national team player? Is he in the line-up for the club? Should he go to the Under 21 European Championship or not?

Ibrahimovic begins a three-game suspension for his elbow on Bournemouth's Tyrone Mings

'Having all these things around him doesn't give him an easy season. But he is a good kid, a good humble boy. He tries to learn with every experience.

'I think the third season is going to be the good one again, the one with more maturity. He can build on his experiences, so I'm sure the third season will be better than the second.

'We had a nice conversation where he said that even at the dressing-room at half-time he learns so he is a good kid with a good mentality.

'He is playing well. He played centre forward in some matches. He is having his opportunities, his minutes, he is having lots of experiences, so I am happy.'