Should Rashford be among the final 23? / Image via 101greatgoals.com
Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford has been one of the most positive surprises of the recently finished Premier League season as the 18-year-old striker went on to make his mark by putting in quality, mature displays.
Season to cherish
If there is one thing that Louis van Gaal had done right during his time at Manchester United than that definitely is youth promotion.
Marcus Rashford perhaps would not have been given a shot hadn’t it been for selection problems and lack of first-team choices, but this youngster certainly did well enough to make his case and convince the Dutch manager to prolong his spell in the second part of the season.
Rashford made his Manchester United debut in February and has scored the total of eight goals in 18 matches he played for Red Devils.
Manchester United striker scored twice in his debut, in a 5-1 win over FC Midtjyland. The 18-year-old only played because Anthony Martial was unavailable, but was quick to impress Van Gaal and his coaching staff. Dutchman is renowned for his propensity to promote young talents and will surely have been pleased to see Rashoford making huge strides to prominence under his watch.
Rashford’s immense talent has sent shockwaves across the Premier League, as well as his mature performances, but most importantly his courage and confidence on the pith.
The boy has been compared to Barcelona star Neymar thanks to his intelligent displays and there is no doubt that there is a bright future ahead for the England gem.
Hodgson’s call-up a deserved award
Marcus Rashford has been the biggest talking point of Roy Hodgson’s provisional squad of 26 together with Andros Townsend and Jack Wilshere, who have both been the surprising inclusions as well.
The group will be whittled down to 23 men before the start of the 2016 European Championship finals and there is a strong feeling that Manchester United striker will be the one that will be dropped.
The 18-year-old striker has been placed in a group of experienced strikers and in-form players he will have problems beating to a place at the Euro 2016.
Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy and Wayne Rooney have all put their stamp on the place upfront, but no one can say that Rashford did not deserve to be included in their company.
Rashford joined England’s squad on Monday for the first time following his FA Cup final injury. Fortunately, a scan revealed there was no significant damage and the 18-year-old has been lined up to be awarded his first cap for England just three months from his Manchester United big debut.
England youngster is likely to be given a run against Australia on Friday as Jamie Vardy has been ruled out of the match due to his wedding.
Roy Hodgson claims he is not afraid to give youngsters a chance adding that Marcus Rashford has “enormous talent”.
England boss however revealed that there is little chance that Rashford will make the cut and be included in the 23-man list.
“There isn’t an awful lot of chance for him to stamp his authority on myself and the coaching staff when there is such a short period of time. But I am ruling nothing out. You will also know that in the position he plays we have a lot of competition for places”, Hodgson said.
Rashford deserves to go to France
England are on an important mission as the team is facing arguably the biggest chance of making a significant result at the continental championship.
Following their impressive qualification campaign, the Three Lions continued in the same fashion and have been going from strength to strength all the way to their latest 2-1 win over Turkey on Sunday in Manchester.
Pitted against Russia, Wales and Slovakia in Group B, England are looking at the odds of 8/1 to go out and win the European Championship.
In order to do so, they will have to take all of their best players to France and Hodgson is facing a dilemma in attack as he would have to sacrifice one of his more experienced striker in order to take Rashford to Euro 2016.
A compromise could be made if Hodgson decides to shorten his list by three players from midfield and/or defence, which will be highly unlikely as Hodgson already has only seven defenders on his list.
Rashford’s inclusion, however unlikely, would be a massive thing for the 18-year-old boy.
Manchester United would be given an opportunity to gain invaluable experience just by travelling along with the group and my personal opinion is that out-of-form choices and likes of Andros Townsedn, Jack Wilshere and ever Raheem Sterling should be omitted instead as Rashford’s contribution to team’s cause could be more significant.
What is your take on the matter?
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