- England forward requires shoulder injury operation, out until October
- As Jadon Sancho completes medical ahead of Old Trafford move
Manchester United may have been dealt a significant blow early this new season with England forward, Marcus Rashford deciding to undergo surgery on a shoulder injury.
The striker, who has endured racist abuse after his missed penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy on Sunday, is likely to miss United’s opening 10 games of the Premier League season
With the development, Rashford, 23, may not be available to play for the Red Devils until the end of October. Though hampered by the shoulder muscle tear last season, he was picked by England manager Gareth Southgate in the Euro squad despite not being 100 percent fit.
The United forward underwent a scan on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, and a decision was taken that surgery was the only option. However, it is understood the operation will not take place for a couple of weeks. It is likely he will be out of action for 12 weeks but has an outside chance of returning for United’s Premier League match against Liverpool at Old Trafford on October 23.
The surgery news is a further blow to Rashford who has endured a difficult 48 hours since the Euro 2020 final defeat. The striker, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka were targeted for racial abuse online after they missed penalties in the shootout defeat.
Regrettably, Rashford’s mural in Withington, Manchester, was also vandalised but has since been covered in messages of support by the community.
On Monday, Rashford issued a statement saying sorry for his miss but said he “will never apologise for who I am”. He added: “I’ve had a difficult season, I think that’s been clear for everyone to see and I probably went into that final with a lack of confidence.”
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is close to sealing his £73 million move from Borussia Dortmund to United after completing his medical. It has taken a year but the Old Trafford finally have their man.
United and Borussia Dortmund agreed on a deal in principle for the transfer of Jadon Sancho. He will set back United by a cool £72.6million from their transfer budget. Naturally, that has put a sizable deficit in United’s funds for the summer.
The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tutored side is still trying to get a defender and midfielder before the season starts to bolster some of the squad’s key areas. They want Raphael Varane and Eduardo Camavinga for those positions.
However, with Sancho’s deal to pay off, Varane and Camavinga’s deals are looking difficult. United now has a limited budget and seems to be in trouble stumping up the money required for those deals.
Varane is expected to cost £45million despite his deal ending next season. While Camavinga’s cost is yet to be determined. So for now, United are still looking at a combined outlay of £80million. That has led to United keeping cheaper alternatives such as Joachim Andersen in mind.
