Marcus Rashford with the English national team
(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Manchester United are left to sweat over the condition of Kobbie Mainoo, who may have sustained an injury on Sunday.
In their last game before the long international break, Michael Carrick’s men avoided a third straight defeat, one that could have blown him away from Carrington.
Lisandro Martinez gave Fulham the lead in the second half with a comical own goal after a joint howler with Senne Lammens. However, a deflected Matheus Cunha effort in the 89th minute avoided a disastrous outcome.
Kobbie Mainoo out of England squad?
Thomas Tuchel and Kobbie Mainoo during the World Cup
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
While the majority of Man Utd players underperformed at Craven Cottage, Paul Scholes identified Mainoo as the ‘best player on the pitch’, at least during the first half.
Therefore, audible jeers from the away end were heard when Carrick decided to take off the 21-year-old in the 80th minute to make way for Mason Mount.
Minutes 80
Distance covered 9.9 km
Successful passes 64/68 (94%)
Chances created 1
Successful dribbles 1/1 (100%)
Line-breaking passes 21
Accurate crosses 4/4 (100%)
(Mainoo’s stats vs Fulham, via FotMob)
Nevertheless, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reveals that the young midfielder has seemingly picked up a knock, without specifying the nature of his condition.
On Friday, Mainoo was called up to the England squad, but Ornstein believes the player could be forced to drop.
Therefore, there is a big possibility that Man Utd won’t have a single representative in Thomas Tuchel’s squad, as Rashford is also heading towards a forfeit. After the game, the MUFC head coach confirmed that the 28-year-old suffered a hip injury.
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were once again overlooked by the German manager, so they will spend the international break at Carrington.
Man Utd hoping to recover Mainoo & Marcus Rashford
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is challenged by Timothy Castagne of Fulham during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is challenged by Timothy Castagne of Fulham during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
With all due respect to the UEFA Nations League, it remains a secondary competition that serves as an alternative to meaningless international friendlies.
Therefore, missing out on England’s next four fixtures is hardly a travesty for either Rashford or Mainoo, albeit the latter needed a run in the England team after his miserable spell on the bench during the World Cup.
At this stage, the priority for the English duo is to take advantage of the long break to recover and make themselves available for what will be a gruelling October run for United, beginning with clashes against Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.
Therefore, we can only hope that the duo’s conditions aren’t serious.
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