Paul Merson insists he was ‘really shocked’ that Gareth Southgate left Marcus Rashford out of his provisional England squad for Euro 2024.
The Manchester United forward has endured a disappointing season, scoring seven goals and making two assists in 33 Premier League appearances.
Despite his struggles at club level, Rashford has featured regularly for England this season but was left out of the 33-man provisional squad ahead of this summer’s Euros.
‘I think it’s huge news,’ ex-England and Arsenal winger Merson told Sky Sports. ’60 caps, played in tournaments, scored big goals, you can rely on him.
‘Gareth usually picks players if he likes them, even if they’re out of form or even if they’re out the team.
‘I’m really shocked, I am really shocked. I know he hasn’t been good recently but tournament football is so different.
‘I would have taken him, 100%. I don’t know if it’s anything to do with up here [gestures towards his head], I don’t know is Gareth has spoken to him, I don’t know what’s going on in his life.
‘But as a player, he’s got experience in tournament football, which is so different to anything else. He’s left out a lot of caps there.’
Rashford’s form this season has not been helped by more than one injury setback, though he looks set to be contention for this weekend’s FA Cup final after making cameo appearances in United’s last two league games.
The 26-year-old racked up his 60th England cap during the last international break but now faces a fight to revive his international career, amid competition from a host of top-flight rivals.
England’s forward options for Euro 2024 include Premier League player of the year Phil Foden, Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, Man City’s Jack Grealish and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon were also selected in England’s final training camp before the Euros.
Discussing England’s Euro 2024 chances, Three Lions boss Southgate said: ‘There’s a lot of tournament experience now, even with our younger players.
‘We’re really happy with where the squad is at. But everything starts from zero. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done in the past.