Rashford and Mainoo doubt for England duty after injuries cloud United's Fulham draw

Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are doubts for England’s upcoming Nations League campaign after both players emerged from Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday carrying injury concerns.

Rashford is understood to be managing a hip problem he has carried since the World Cup, according to The Athletic. United manager Michael Carrick confirmed he was substituted off due to the issue, adding he was uncertain about the forward’s condition. “We had to bring him off as he had a bit of an issue,” Carrick said. “I’m not sure” he replied when asked if Rashford was alright.

Mainoo, who played 80 minutes at Craven Cottage, is also believed to be carrying a knock. The 21-year-old had been hoping to finally earn minutes after going unused throughout the World Cup — including a third-place play-off against France for which he had been pencilled in before picking up a pre-match injury.

England manager Thomas Tuchel, who had called both players into his squad, was candid about his regret over Mainoo’s tournament. “I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my duty to get him on the pitch. That was totally on me,” Tuchel said. “He didn’t put a foot wrong during the World Cup. He was class in behaviour on the training pitch. He got injured before the France game so we couldn’t even give him minutes there, which hurt me.”

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is also expected to withdraw from the England squad due to load management, The Athletic reports, with his fitness being carefully monitored after seven appearances this season following an injury-disrupted campaign last year.

England face Spain, the Czech Republic twice, and Croatia during an extended three-week international break. Their first fixture is against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, 26 September.

For United, the international break may offer a timely opportunity for Carrick’s squad to recover. The club return to Premier League action when they host Tottenham on Saturday, 10 October.