‘Rashford needs time to shine’

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate believes Marcus Rashford should be given time to flourish despite calls for the Manchester United forward to be given more minutes at club level.

Rashford was one of few bright sparks for Southgate, scoring both England’s goals in a 2-1 defeat to Spain and 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the past week.

However, he has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford and will be suspended for United’s next three domestic games after being sent off at Burnley before the international break.

Southgate, though, used the example of England captain Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo to show that at just 20, Rashford has plenty of time on his side.

“We have to remember that Harry at that age had hardly played anywhere near the same number of matches for Spurs,” Southgate said. “So we have to give him time to develop.”

And Southgate refused to criticise any of the managers of the Premier League’s top six sides, all non-English, for putting their own interests first.

“It’s not my business to interfere with club managers. They have a difficult job to do and they have big squads at the top six. Jose thinks the world of Marcus. He’s a huge admirer of him, but he has got his job to do. There is huge competition for places at his club so you can understand that.”