Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have withdrawn from the England squad due to injury.
It feels as though the international break has come at the right time for Man Utd after a severely underwhelming start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
They commenced the season with a humiliating 2-0 defeat against newly promoted Hull City, and their only win since came against Ipswich Town in gameweek 2.
After conceding in the last moments of the game to surrender three points against Everton, the Red Devils fell to a 1-0 defeat against rivals Man City, despite having one man more for the majority of the game due to Phil Foden's dismissal in the 23rd minute.
Michael Carrick's side salvaged a point against Fulham in the capital -- despite another dismal display -- and things have gone from bad to worse with the news that Rashford and Mainoo have been withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad due to injury.
We take a look at when the Man Utd duo could return.
When is Marcus Rashford expected to return?
The extent of Rashford's injury has not yet been revealed, but he was seen hobbling around the side of the pitch when replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the 77th minute of Man Utd's 1-1 draw against Fulham.
It's reported that the England international is still managing a hip issue that he has carried since representing his nation at the 2026 World Cup.
Carrick revealed that he "had to bring him off" at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, before adding that he's "not sure" how long the 28-year-old will be sidelined for.
The length of the international break should give Rashford time to rest and recover, and he's likely to be in line to feature when Man Utd welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on Saturday 10th October.
When is Kobbie Mainoo expected to return?
Similarly to Rashford, the extent of Mainoo's injury is yet to be confirmed, with the club also yet to specify the setback that is denying the midfielder the opportunity to impress across the international break.
Mainoo has missed 42 games for club and country through injury since his breakthrough 2023/24 season, but he does not have a pattern of repetitive or chronic injuries.
Carrick's decision to replace Mainoo for Mason Mount in the 80th minute at Craven Cottage was met by boos, but his removal from England's squad due to injury clarifies the substitution.
Providing that Mainoo's injury is only a minor setback, he too should return against Spurs on 10th October.
