June 30th 2024.
In the midst of the excitement surrounding England's star-studded squad competing in Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, there was one notable absence. Manchester United's Marcus Rashford was not included in the final 26-man squad chosen by manager Gareth Southgate. This decision came as a surprise to many, especially considering Rashford's previous role in the team.
Rashford, who has been a key figure in the team since 2018, has been left out due to his recent form for Manchester United. Despite scoring eight goals in 42 appearances this season, his performances have been below par and he faced disciplinary action in January for missing a training session after a night out at a nightclub. Southgate, in his usual composed manner, explained the difficult decision to not call up Rashford in the provisional squad announcement last month.
The manager stated, "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." He went on to say that other players in Rashford's position had simply had better seasons and therefore deserved a spot in the squad. This was a tough blow for Rashford, who had been a part of England's previous two World Cup squads and the European Championship in 2021.
Southgate also mentioned his concerns about having too many attacking options in the squad, stating, "You can take too many forwards as well. You have to give them love and make them feel special, but it can also be complicated if you have too many." He acknowledged that there was a lot to consider in the coming weeks before the tournament begins.
Rashford has remained silent since the squad announcement, but it is clear that he is disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to represent his country in the Euros. The 26-year-old has played 60 times for England, scoring 17 goals since his debut in 2016. He played a crucial role in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, scoring two goals in six appearances.
It is a tough blow for Rashford, but Southgate's decision shows that he has high standards for his team and is not afraid to make difficult choices. With the competition for places in the England squad growing stronger each year, Rashford will have to work hard to regain his spot in the team. Fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to form for Manchester United and his potential inclusion in future tournaments.
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