“I felt as though I had let my team-mates 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. I wish it had of gone differently.”

Rashford, 23, was hampered by the shoulder muscle tear last season and was picked in the Euro squad despite not being 100% fit. He underwent a scan on Tuesday and a decision was taken that surgery was the only option. However, it is understood the operation will not take place for a couple of weeks. It is likely he will be out of action for 12 weeks but has an outside chance of returning for United’s Premier League match against Liverpool at Old Trafford on 23 October.
The news is a further blow to Rashford who has endured a difficult 48 hours since the Euro 2020 final defeat. He, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were targeted for racial abuse online after they missed penalties in the shootout defeat. Rashford’s mural in Withington, Manchester, was also vandalised but has since been covered in messages of support by the community.
On Monday, Rashford issued a statement saying sorry for his miss but said he “will never apologise for who I am”. He added: “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.”