SOUTHGATE BACKS MISFIRING RASHFORD FOR TOUGH TEST AGAINST REBORN SPAIN

GARETH SOUTHGATE has insisted Marcus Rashford is a player he still “loves to bits” – despite the misfiring Manchester United star costing England a vital UEFA Nations League win.

Striker Rashford could have given England lift-off with victory over Croatia in Rijeka.

The Old Trafford youngster spurned two golden, second-half chances, leaving the Three Lions still searching for their first win in the new tournament.

But after scoring against Spain and Switzerland last month, Southgate has given Rashford (left) his full support as England prepare to face the Spanish again in Seville tomorrow.

“I was really pleased he was in the areas to get those chances,” said Southgate.

“His general performance as the game went on, he looked more and more of a threat. He scored twice for us last month and we love him to bits, so he’ll take more of those chances than not.

“The more important thing for me is we’ve created good chances and the likes of Marcus, Harry and Raheem, the forwards we’ve got, they’ll finish them.

“We’ve just got to make sure we’re creating them.”

Southgate, who has ditched his 3-5-2 World Cup system for a new 4-3-3 shape to help England cope better against top opposition, is pondering whether to give Borussia Dortmund teenager Jadon Sancho more minutes in Spain.

Sancho, 18, sparkled in a fleeting cameo in the closing minutes against Croatia.

Southgate was impressed – but is keen not to over-hype the former Manchester City youngster.

“I knew he was ready for that

because we wouldn’t have put him into that game 20 minutes from the end unless we knew that,” said the England chief.

“So, I guess we’ve just got to keep a lid on it. I can’t do anything about the hype!

“I don’t think it’s so relevant whether he starts or is a sub, in terms of the impact he’ll have.

“I just think that’s part of him gaining strength in the game and understanding at Dortmund of how they’re playing and then with us just easing him into the way we play and the environment.

“In the Champions League games we’ve had watched, he’s had a really good impact as well.”

Southgate admits he’s still getting to know Sancho – but likes his confidence.

“I briefly had a little bit of time with him when he was an Under-15 in one of our camps.

“But also I’ve spent a lot of time talking to other youth coaches to get a good insight into his personality and how he is, just so we were able to help him settle as quickly as possible.

“He’s actually quite a quiet lad around the place, but, of course, he’s very confident on the field and he showed that belief in his spell he had on the pitch.”

Having already beaten Croatia 6-0 in the Nations League, Southgate is wary of Spain’s potential to dish out a football lesson in Seville.

“They were excellent in that win, but, in fairness to Croatia, they had a few chances at 0-0.

“Spain had one of those nights where some of the goals they scored were outstanding and everyone knows they are a team that can do that.

“Frankly, they are one of the best two or three teams in the world and it’s only that the coach left on the eve of the tournament that meant they didn’t fulfil what they should have done at the World Cup, in my opinion.

“They have had some wonderful players who have just come to the end, but replaced those with maybe a bit more energy and pace in the forward areas.

“They’ve got a top coach in charge in Luis Enrique, so it’s going to be a very tough test.”