Phil Jones says Marcus Rashford ‘could have certainly offered something’ had he been selected in England’s Euro 2024 squad and expects the forward to bounce back stronger than ever next season.
Rashford managed just eight goals in all competitions for Manchester United last term and has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man party set to fly out to Germany for this summer’s eagerly anticipated tournament.
It’s just the latest setback in a concerning fall from grace for the attacker, who enjoyed his best ever campaign in front of goal in the 2022/23 season after finding the back of the net 30 times in 56 appearances for the Red Devils.
After Rashford’s England omission was confirmed, Southgate praised the ‘maturity’ and ‘professionalism’ the United star – capped 60 times by the Three Lions – displayed when receiving such disappointing news.
‘Clearly he’s played in a lot of important matches for us and scored a lot of important goals for us,’ the England head coach told reporters.
We’ve worked with Marcus for a long, long time which makes those calls harder.
Asked how Rashford took the news on the phone, Southgate replied: ‘Look, I have to say, both him and Jordan Henderson were both incredibly professional and respectful.
‘I think they know, over a long period of time, that we’ve been very supportive when we’ve needed to be.
‘They’re not pleasant calls for the boys to receive so I fully understand that.
‘But they were both very mature.’
Jones, who shared a dressing room with Rashford for nine years at Old Trafford, believes England could miss his former team-mate’s ‘brilliance’ and moments of ‘magic’ in Germany.
However, the former United and England defender understands the strength in depth at Southgate’s disposal in attack, with ‘so many talented players’ battling it out for minutes.
‘Rashford is the one I would identify as the biggest decision. It’s a tough call, and I’m not saying it’s the right or wrong call,’ Jones told Ladbrokes 1-2-Free.
‘I always think Marcus – even if he’s not had the season he’d have liked – has the ability to do something special.
‘I know him as a person, and as a player, and I think he could have certainly offered something, especially in games where we’re struggling to break teams down.
‘You know, he’s got that little bit of brilliance – that little bit of magic where he can just take it out of his feet, whip one in the top bin and win you the game.
‘But, again, there are so many talented players to choose from – so there’s always going to be someone who misses out, and unfortunately it’s him this year.’
Jones says Rashford is among the finest players he’s ever played with and has ‘no doubt’ that the forward will return ‘much better’ next season with United.
‘Marcus is incredibly talented,’ he added.
‘He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with. He’s got a strong mentality, he’s level-headed and he has a good support network around him.
‘I’m sure he’ll come back firing next season… I’m sure he’ll have a good pre-season.
‘He’s the type of guy who’ll go away this summer and work on himself, making sure he’s in the best possible condition to start next season.
‘He’ll know there is pressure on him next season, but I have no doubt that he’ll have a much better season than perhaps the one he’s just had.’