GOAL-DEN BOY STAKES CLAIM
MARCUS RASHFORD has handed Gareth Southgate a huge selection dilemma.
The Three Lions boss now has a big decision to make over whether to pick Rashford or Raheem Sterling for the opening World Cup game against Tunisia on Monday week.
What seemed like an easy decision is now suddenly not quite so clearcut after Rashford scored a wonder goal in a man-of-the-match display against Costa Rica at Elland Road on Thursday.
But the 20-year-old had a stop-start season at Manchester United, while Sterling bagged 18 Premier League goals – behind only Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy when it came to Englishmen – as Manchester City strolled to the title. Now Southgate, who hailed Rashford for playing with “a real swagger” and for scoring a “world-class goal” during the 2-0 win, will have to leave one of his aces on the bench.
Fellow England striker Danny Welbeck, who was also on target, said: “It gives the manager a good selection headache and Marcus’ goal was incredible. He has definitely staked a claim.”
Welbeck also revealed Southgate has taken the shackles off the brilliant United forward.
At Old Trafford Rashford has played as a central striker or on the wing and is much more restricted, with boss Jose Mourinho having strict jobs for his men. But lining up as a secondary hitman behind Vardy, Southgate let Rashford roam where he pleased and encouraged him to take men on from the start.
Arsenal hitman Welbeck, who started off at United, said: “I have enjoyed training with Marcus, I know the qualities he possesses and he was brilliant.
Buzzing
“He has been free to play. The manager told him to go out there and be free – express yourself.
“Obviously he was a quite a few years younger than me, but his older brother knows my older brother, so I knew about Marcus for a long time.
“He has got a lot of that youthful enthusiasm. He was buzzing all around the pitch. But he is so mature around the place as well at times.
“He knows when to curb his enthusiasm.
“Marcus has the qualities to have an impact on every single game.”
In two seasons under Mourinho, Rashford has been a sub more often than he has started in the Premier League. This season he made just 17 top-flight starts – less than half of Tottenham striker Kane’s 35.
On Thursday, Rashford was buzzing until the final minute in Leeds – and has matured since being called up by previous England boss Roy Hodgson, aged just 18, for Euro 2016.
At the time he had made only 10 Premier League appearances.
He was given just 21 minutes in France by Hodgson, including being thrown on with just five minutes to go in the horrific 2-1 knockout defeat by Iceland.
Southgate deserves huge credit for telling Rashford to go out and take on the Costa Ricans and not to worry if he lost possession.
It is hard to imagine the more conservative Mourinho ever giving the youngster such freedom.
“He was teasing defenders and was enjoying his football, which is great to see,” said Southgate.
But will that be enough for a place in the starting line-up?