Rashford left out of England’s Euro squad
Marcus Rashford paid for his poor season as the Manchester United forward was left out of England boss Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024 yesterday.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Chelsea skipper Reece James were among the other big names to miss out on the squad, which must be trimmed to a maximum of 26 before the tournament in Germany begins.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is rewarded for the Eagles’ brilliant end to the Premier League season with his first-ever call-up.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Liverpool duo Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones are the other uncapped players selected with Southgate short on defensive options.
England face Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 3 and Iceland four days later before jetting off for Germany, where they are one of the favourites to win the tournament.
The wealth of options available to Southgate in attacking areas means Rashford misses out on a major international tournament for the first time since the 2014 World Cup. Rashford has scored just eight times in 42 appearances for his club this season and only recently returned from injury.
“These are difficult calls. With Marcus I just feel other players in that area have had better seasons. It’s as simple as that,” said Southgate.
Henderson’s injury-hit move to Ajax in January after a short spell in Saudi Arabia has not done enough to earn the 33-year-old a place.
The same goes for Jadon Sancho despite his renaissance on his return to Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund on loan from United.
Raheem Sterling and Kalvin Phillips were also overlooked despite shining for Southgate in the past at major tournaments.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, who fired Manchester City to the Premier League title on Sunday, and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka are included as part of a fearsome collection of creative talent to supply England’s all-time top goalscorer Harry Kane.
England’s men begin their quest to win a major tournament for the first time in 58 years against Serbia on
June 16 before facing Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
The Three Lions have come agonisingly close to glory under Southgate before — losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy. England also reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and last eight of the 2022 World Cup.