Rashford pays price for Jose’s new dawn
MARCUS RASHFORD will begin the Sam Allardyce era playing for England’s Under 21s after he was dropped from the senior squad.
The Manchester United striker was one of the few England players to emerge with credit from Euro 2016 after a scintillating breakthrough season at Old Trafford saw him earn a late call-up to Roy Hodgson’s squad. However, the 18-year-old has struggled for playing time under new United boss Jose Mourinho, with just 20 minutes of action in the Community Shield against Leicester. That has persuaded Allardyce to omit Rashford from his first senior squad, and he will instead report to Gareth Southgate’s team for their Euro 2017 qualifier against Norway on Tuesday week at Colchester. However, Southgate has no worries about Rashford handling the demotion after selecting the forward for the first time.
Rashford will spearhead the attack in the Under 21s’ crucial qualifier, though he could be drafted back into the senior squad if injuries arise.
Southgate, who has rewarded Everton defender Mason Holgate with a first call-up after his promising start to the season, has no worries about the forward’s attitude.
‘Last season his pathway was remarkable and we’re very conscious of plotting how we develop our young players,’ said Southgate. ‘We spoke a lot with United when we put Marcus in the Under 20s in March, which both they and ourselves felt was the right thing at the time. But if he’s less likely to start with the seniors — and Sam (Allardyce) is quite keen that people are playing regularly (for their clubs) — we think it’s now a good opportunity in his development for him to be with the Under 21s.’
England top Group 9 and a win over Norway would leave them needing just three more points to make next summer’s finals.