Marcus Rashford issues response to Gareth Southgate after Man Utd star left out of England squad

Marcus Rashford issues response to Gareth Southgate after Man Utd star left out of England squad

WATCH NOW: Sports roundup as England name provisional Euro 2024 squad

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 21/05/2024

- 15:29

The 26-year-old has broken his silence on his exclusion

Marcus Rashford has issued a statement after he was left out of Gareth Southgate's provisional England squad for Euro 2024.

The forward has had a disappointing personal campaign for Manchester United and his form has seen him drop out of his international manager's plans.


Rashford scored just seven goals in 33 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils, who finished the campaign in eighth.

He has been an important squad member at recent tournaments but will be watching on from afar when the Three Lions head to Germany next month.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford has issued a response after being left out of the England squad

PA

Soon after the squad was announced, Rashford took to Instagram to respond to his exclusion.

And he wished the team and Southgate well as they aim to win their first major tournament since 1966.

Rashford wrote on his Instagram story: "Wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the up and coming tournament."

Southgate has named 33 players in his provisional squad, which will be trimmed to a maximum of 26 on June 7.

He admitted it was a tough decision to leave out Rashford but said there were other players who deserved to be picked ahead of him.

Southgate said: "These are of course difficult calls

"You are talking about players that are very important players.

"With Marcus, in that area of the pitch, I feel that other players have had better seasons, it’s as simple as that."

Rashford was one of a number of high-profile absentees from the squad named by Southgate.

Jordan Henderson has also been left out, as has Raheem Sterling and Reece James.

Former England and Arsenal star Paul Merson cannot understand the decision to axe Rashford and says his tournament experience would have been vital.

Merson said on Sky Sports: "It's huge news. Sixty caps, been in tournaments, scores goals and you can rely on him.

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Marcus Rashford Instagram

Marcus Rashford wished England well on social media after being left out of the squad

Instagram

"If it was any other time you'd probably say it was not a shock, but Gareth picks people out of form - he picks people even if they aren't in their team.

"I am really shocked. He hasn't been good, but tournament football is so different to [club football]. It's like no other type of football.

"He's just left out 140 caps in the blink of an eye with Henderson and Rashford. When Rashford gets hot, he gets hot and you need that in tournament football."

Merson believes Rashford would have been a more valuable squad member than Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, who has been picked.

Marcus Rashford and Gareth Southgate

Marcus Rashford has been a regular under Gareth Southgate at recent tournaments

Getty

He added: "I like Eze, I just don't think he is going to play in front of [Phil] Foden. If you're watching the game and there are 65 minutes gone and England are behind - who do you go for to bring off the bench?

"Rashford, who has done it before and has sixty caps, or someone who has never played in a tournament before? You're going with Rashford.

"And that's what shocks me. I think you could take both of them."

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