The Manchester United duo of Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford have pulled out of the final England qualifiers for next year’s FIFA World Cup tournament as revealed by the statement from the Three Lions camp on Monday. The two Manchester United players were part of four England ruled out of the World Cup qualifying matches against Albania and San Marino.

Rashford recently returned to the Manchester United squad for the Premier League clash with hosts Leicester City in the middle of last month after missing the first two weeks of the season due to a shoulder problem and he has withdrawn from the latest England games to concentrate on getting back to full fitness. For Shaw, the Manchester United left-back suffered concussion during the Premier League clash with city rivals Manchester City at home on Saturday and has pulled out of the latest England team as a result. Shaw and Manchester United were humbled by their neighbours via a 2-0 defeat and it could have been more if not for the inspired display from David De Gea in the Red Devils goal.

England have a three-point lead over Poland in second place as far as Group I of the European qualifiers for Qatar 2022 is concerned ahead of the final two games in the group. They take on Albania at home on Friday, before an away game against San Marino next week Monday. The Albanians are also in contention for the top two places and they are five points off England in third place ahead of their meeting.

Manager Gareth Southgate and his England players will book their place at the tournament next year if they are able to secure a win in one of the two games against Albania and San Marino.

Apart from Shaw and Rashford, Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse and Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount are the other players who pulled out the newest England squad.