Marcus Rashford has been left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad which is set to be named by Gareth Southgate later today.
The Manchester United star has endured a difficult season for his club, during which he was disciplined by his manager Erik ten Hag and struggled to maintain his fitness.
Rashford returned from his latest injury setback last week during United’s 3-2 win over Newcastle and also played the last 15 minutes against Brighton on Sunday in his bid to cement a start in the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Despite his lack of form, Rashford maintained his place in the Three Lions squad over the course of their successful qualifying campaign and also made his 60th international appearance in last month’s prestige friendly against Brazil.
The 26-year-old has featured in every England major tournament squad since Euro 2016 but his absence this summer will mean he will not have an opportunity to atone for his penalty miss in the devastating shootout defeat to Italy three years ago.
Such are the attacking options that Southgate has at his disposal, however, that he has found no room for a player who would have been considered a shoo-in at the start of the season.
With the likes of Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka having enjoyed outstanding campaigns, Southgate is blessed with a multitude of attacking options, while Rashford’s apparent unwillingness to play in a central striking role may also have counted against him.
Southgate, meanwhile, is set to name a provisional 30-man squad which he will have to cut to 26 by June 7.
England are in the midst of a defensive injury crisis with Rashford’s United teammates Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw still some way short of full fitness.
John Stones, too, has endured an injury interrupted end to the season with City which has led to the inclusion of Liverpool youngster Jarell Quansah.
Experienced Chelsea duo Ben Chilwell and Reece James have been omitted while there is also no place for Blues youngster Levi Colwill, whose ability to play at left-back has been overlooked.
England kick off their campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16 before they face their other group opponents Denmark and Bosnia.