Marcus Rashford's Fitness Concern Ahead of England vs Ghana

Marcus Rashford has handed England an unwelcome headache ahead of their next World Cup group game against Ghana after complaining of hamstring tightness following his explosive cameo against Croatia.

The Manchester United forward came off the bench in Dallas and ripped into a tiring Croatian back line, scoring England’s fourth in a 4-2 win and changing the tempo of a game that had threatened to drift. It was Rashford at full throttle again: direct, aggressive, ruthless on the counter. Then came the sting.

After the match he reported discomfort in the hamstring and glute area. England’s medical staff moved quickly, and the 28-year-old was kept out of a behind-closed-doors practice match against Sporting Kansas City on Thursday, a game in which the rest of the substitutes were given valuable minutes. He played no part as the Three Lions ran out 5-1 winners.

Rashford’s absence from that session will concern the England manager, who is already juggling selection calls in the wide areas. All players have now been given a full day off in Kansas to spend time with friends and family, a deliberate move from Thomas Tuchel to ease the mental and physical strain of tournament life, but the focus behind the scenes will be on how Rashford responds when training resumes tomorrow.

The clock is ticking. England face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, a fixture that could seal early qualification for the knockout stages. Rashford’s form off the bench against Croatia has put real pressure on Barcelona’s new signing Anthony Gordon, who started in Dallas but struggled to impose himself before making way in the 72nd minute.

Once Rashford entered the fray, England’s attack looked transformed. He stretched the game, drove at defenders and capped his performance with a late goal, his 19th for his country in 73 appearances. It also snapped a lean run of nine international games without scoring, a statistic he seemed determined to erase from the moment he stepped onto the pitch.

That surge has strengthened his case to start against Ghana, if his body allows it. The England manager will hope the tightness proves nothing more than a minor reaction to the intensity of his display rather than the start of something more serious.

Behind Rashford’s fitness watch, England’s depth again showed its teeth in the low-key friendly against Sporting Kansas City. Ivan Toney, who did not feature against Croatia, made his point in emphatic fashion with a hat-trick, sharpening his claim for more meaningful minutes as the tournament unfolds.

Those left out of the Croatia win were given two 25-minute halves to maintain rhythm and match sharpness. Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins also found the net, underlining the competition for attacking places. Eberechi Eze, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Kobbie Mainoo and Jarell Quansah were among those involved, all pushing to stay in Tuchel’s thoughts as the games start to come thick and fast.

Some players chose to remain at the team hotel during the day off, preferring quiet preparation over family time, aware that Tuesday’s match in Boston could define England’s group. One more win and the path to the knockouts opens up.

Whether Rashford is on the pitch from the first whistle or held back again as a weapon from the bench may hinge on how that hamstring feels when he next laces up his boots.