June 20th 2024.
Marcus Rashford was left out of Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad, causing quite a stir among fans and critics alike. Even Rashford's brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, seemed to take a jab at Southgate after England's disappointing draw with Denmark during the tournament. It was a lackluster performance from the Three Lions, who struggled to secure a mere 1-1 draw against a team they were expected to defeat.
This result, along with a lackluster win over Serbia in their first game, has raised concerns for Southgate as he ponders over the team's attack, which has looked worryingly blunt and uninspired. Despite having a squad filled with attacking talent, some notable names like Jack Grealish and Rashford were left out of the squad, much to the surprise of many. Rashford, in particular, was not even in the 33-man preliminary squad due to his underwhelming performance with Manchester United, where he only managed to score eight goals in 43 games.
However, Rashford has always been a reliable player for his country, even if it's just as an impact substitute. This led many to believe that he should have been selected for the squad despite his recent form. And these sentiments were echoed by none other than his brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, who posted on Instagram during the Denmark match, "It's hard to sit and watch when you honestly believe your man could make a difference!"
In previous years, Rashford had been a consistent presence for the England team, making it all the more surprising that he was left out of the squad this time around. The front three of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden were all substituted in the second half against Denmark, but the replacements did not make much of a difference. Some have attributed England's struggles to a lack of pace in their attack, something that Rashford could have provided.
When asked about his decision to leave out Rashford, Southgate stated that it was a difficult call to make but that other players in that position had better seasons. He said, "These are of course difficult calls, you're talking about players who are very good and have been an important part of our team for years. However, with Marcus, I believe that other players in that position have had better seasons. It's as simple as that."
Following the announcement, Rashford, who had played in the last four major tournaments for England, posted on Instagram, "Wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the upcoming tournament." It was a mature response from the 26-year-old, who has always been a team player and put the success of the team above his personal achievements.
As the tournament progresses and England continues to struggle in their attack, some may question Southgate's decision to leave out Rashford. But for now, the Three Lions must focus on their upcoming matches and try to find the winning formula without the talented forward.
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