Marcus Rashford will not be part of the Manchester United squad for the Europa League away match against Sheriff Tiraspol through injury.
The club’s official website has confirmed the list of players who will be Erik ten Hag’s options for the season’s second European matchday.
Rashford, along with Martin Dubravka, Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will not make the trip.
The problem comes at a frustrating time for Rashford.
Rashford injury blow comes at the worst possible time
And that is not just because the cancellations of games against Crystal Palace and Leeds mean that Ten Hag will likely play a strong team in the Europa League, which would have included Rashford.
Gareth Southgate is due to name his England squad for the final matches before the World Cup on Thursday afternoon.
England face Italy and Germany in the Nations League and Rashford has not played for his country since missing a penalty in the Euro 2020.
He rightly lost his place over form and fitness, but the way he has started this season gave him a chance of forcing his way back in.
The Daily Mail reported last week that Rashford, as well as Jadon Sancho, were set for recalls and the former Borussia Dortmund man should still be included.
That would hand him an opportunity to impress Southgate before he finalises his World Cup party.
But can Rashford really get on the plane without having played a single minute for the Three Lions since the last major tournament?
It seems unlikely, and that is why the timing of this injury blow is so damaging for Rashford.
Of course, if he is absolutely on fire by the time Southgate names his squad, Rashford could still be included, but the latest injury blow hampers his chances if it means he is left out for this month’s Three Lions games.
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