Marcus Rashford is set to miss the first two months of the season with the Manchester United striker deciding to have surgery on his long-term shoulder issue.
According to the Telegraph, Rashford has been managing the injury since last year but after scans revealed a muscle tear, he has now opted to go under the knife.
It is suggested that surgery isn’t a necessity at this stage, but the player himself is becoming increasingly concerned about its impact on his game moving forward.
Rashford would like to have surgery immediately, but a month-long delay means his rehabilitation will extend into the new Premier League season.
Members of the United squad not involved in international tournaments have been back at Carrington for the last week, with eyes on their Premier League opener with Leeds on August 14.
The report adds that the 23-year-old has been encouraged to not rush into a decision over surgery after what has been a traumatic 72 hours.
The United forward was one of three England players to miss penalties during England’s heartbreaking Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
Rashford admitted that he went into the Wembley final low on confidence and said something didn’t feel quite right in the build-up.
On Instagram, he wrote a touching statement, which read: “I don’t even know where to start and I don’t even know how to put into words how I’m feeling at this exact time. 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.
“I’ve always backed myself for a penalty but something didn’t feel quite right. During the long run up I was saving myself a bit of time and unfortunately the result was not what I wanted.
“I felt as though I had let my teammates down. I felt as if I’d let everyone down. A penalty was all I’d been asked to contribute for the team. I can score penalties in my sleep so why not that one?
“It’s been playing in my head over and over since I struck the ball and there’s probably not a word to quite describe how it feels.
“Final. 55 years. 1 penalty. History. All I can say is sorry.”
Rashford was subsequently the subject of sickening racist abuse on social media, as well as a leaked message from a Conservative MP suggesting he should spend “more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics”.
A mural of Rashford, who has helped feed millions of children during the coronavirus pandemic, was also defaced before supporters helped to cover it up, with thousands of messages of support.
Rashford’s statement continued: “I’ve grown into a sport where I expect to read things written about myself.
“Whether it be the colour of my skin, where I grew up, or, most recently, how I decide to spend my time off the pitch.
“I can take critique of my performance all day long, my penalty was not good enough, it should have gone in but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from."
