Marcus Rashford has seen his status as automatic first choice in Gareth Southgate’s England team come into question in recent weeks – and the Manchester United forward is perfectly happy with that.
The 23-year-old struggled for fitness and form in the closing weeks of an exhausting season with his club, scoring just once in their last 10 games.
That dip in form – and the recent strong performances of attacking talent like Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish – has put Rashford’s starting place in doubt for the opening group game against Croatia on Sunday.
But Rashford, who was handed the captain’s armband for Sunday’s friendly win over Romania, is happy just to be part of an England squad that has almost an embarrassment of riches in the creativity and attacking departments.
“You’re being deluded if you expect 11 players to win seven games and you’re playing games in a short space of time,” said Rashford.
“The squad’s going have to be utilised and to be honest I’m excited and looking forward to it.
“We have a lot of young talented players like the ones you mentioned, then a mix with a few older players who’ve played massive games for their clubs and have ultimately had a brilliant career internationally.
“Don’t get me wrong everybody wants to be in the first XI but I think from my experience of being in tournaments you need a squad, you have to have players capable of coming on at different moments and giving that extra spark.
“I think in our squad we have that all over the pitch, so to be honest it’s not at the front of my mind. We go there as a squad that’s trying to win a tournament. Whether or not you’re starting in the first XI you’ve still got a massive role to play if we want to win the tournament.”
With Harry Kane, obviously, guaranteed to start as the centre-forward in Southgate’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, the competition for the three attacking midfield roles behind him has become increasingly complex.
Raheem Sterling, whose club form with Manchester City towards the end of the campaign was disappointing, is another player who faces tough competition for a starting berth – despite being the most experienced player in Southgate’s squad with 61 caps.
And Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka is another versatile option for Southgate, having impressed in a forward role in the midweek win over Austria.
It leaves Rashford facing a wait to discover if he will start England’s opening group game at the end of a memorable period for the youngster, on and off the field.
His social campaigning, which has seen him have audiences with the Prime Minister over school meals for disadvantaged children and launch a reading campaign with former President Barack Obama among other projects, has made him one of the country’s most popular sports figures.
But Rashford insists that football remains his priority, even while he balances his on-field responsibilities with those off it.
“Football’s important to me. From when I was kid I’ve always dreamed of playing football,” he said.
“It’s always been on my mind and it’s put me in a positon to do what I’ve been doing this last year. But nothing changes in terms of football, I’m still hungry and determined to win things and win trophies.
“As long as that stays, there’s not an issue with doing the two things. I’m just looking forward to the tournament and hopefully we can bring the best version of England to that tournament.
“If we do that, I have confidence in the team, the squad, the manager and the staff, that we’re a good team and when we play well we’re a very good team. It’s just about doing that as consistently as we can.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3zbGWoo
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