Which of Jose’s four targets will eclipse Pogba deal?
JoSE MoURINHo has won his battle with the FA over Marcus Rashford, who was yesterday left out of England’s Under 21 squad for the European Championship.
Mourinho met England boss Gareth Southgate to press for the 19-year-old to skip the finals in Poland and yesterday’s announcement represents a major victory for the United manager — as well as a significant climbdown by Southgate and the FA.
Instead of Under 21 duty, Rashford has been named in the 25-man senior squad to face Scotland in a World Cup qualifier and France in a friendly next month.
Southgate had been adamant Rashford would be in the party for next month’s Euros so he could gain valuable tournament experience. And he admitted yesterday: ‘ In January that was probably where I was heading with it. He wasn’t in Manchester United’s team and he hadn’t done quite as well for the seniors in November.
‘In March, it was important that he was with the senior squad because we didn’t have Kane, Sturridge or Welbeck. His impact on our games and the way he trained was impressive.
‘He then went back to United and was in their team right to the end of the season, playing in big, high-pressure matches. His mentality has been excellent and his performances have been very good. It would be inconceivable not to put him in the senior squad.’
Rashford has played 58 games this season and Mourinho feared the striker would suffer burn-out if he went to a second tournament in as many years, having also played at Euro 2016.
Elsewhere, Tottenham right back Kieran Trippier was handed his first senior call-up. The 26-year- old impressed in the closing stages of the season after usurping Kyle Walker.
‘He’s a player I’ve watched a lot since he was at Burnley,’ said Southgate. ‘He fits the profile we like. He’s very good with the ball and I like his mentality. He’s a player we wanted to bring in so he gets a feel for how we work.’
As revealed by Sportsmail, Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland is recalled after recovering from long-term ankle problems.
The 24-year- old suffered a stress fracture of his right ankle on his last England outing, against Germany in March 2016, and needed three operations to put it right. Butland returned to action with Stoke in the last month of the season.
Michael Keane misses out with a calf problem but there is a place for Middlesbrough centre back Ben Gibson.
Jermain Defoe, 34, keeps his spot but there is no place for Danny Welbeck, with Arsenal concerned about his fitness.