Emile Smith-Rowe earns his first-EVER England call-up after stunning form for Arsenal, as Marcus Rashford and James Ward-Prowse pull out while Mason Mount and Luke Shaw stay back with their clubs
- Marcus Rashford is still working his way back to full fitness after long lay-off
- Manchester United striker was also ill recently and was a sub in the derby
- He will not be joining up with England and will focus on returning to top shape
Marcus Rashford ‘has pulled out’ of Gareth Southgate’s upcoming England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.
The Manchester United striker will instead remain with his club and work on regaining his sharpness, according to the Telegraph.
Rashford is still working his way back to match fitness following his long lay-off for surgery at the start of the campaign.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has pulled out of England duty to work on fitness
He was also taken ill after United’s 2-2 draw against Atalanta in Bergamo and consequently missed two days of training last week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deemed him fit enough to come on as a substitute in the Manchester derby defeat by City but he has ruled himself out of contention for England.
The Telegraph report that the decision for Rashford to remain with United was discussed and agreed as the best course of action by both club and country.
Rashford and Mason Greenwood will both sit out the upcoming international games
He joins team-mate Mason Greenwood in sitting out after Southgate last week revealed they had agreed for the youngster to miss the internationals.
Following Rashford’s shoulder operation, he is still to play a complete game this term.
He has also struggled for game time with the Three Lions and was hardly used during the summer’s European Championships.
Perhaps the decision was made easier by the fact that he is not currently first choice for England but he could have been given game time given the low quality opposition.
Rashford fell ill after the game against Atalanta in Bergamo in the Champions League
United will be looking to get Rashford back up to speed as soon as possible given their recent struggles.
There is massive pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following their 5-0 hammering by Liverpool, unconvincing Champions League form and poor showing against rivals City.
United face Watford away from home on November 20 in their next match and will hope to have Rashford back by then.
