Southgate: We’ve got a new Marcus!

GARETH Southgate says Marcus Rashford is a ‘different player’ than he saw with England at last summer’s European Championship.

The United forward scored twice on his first start for the Three Lions since June last year to first them into the last 16, where they will face Senegal on Sunday.

Rashford struggled for United last season, having missed a penalty in England’s Euro final defeat to Italy.

But he has shown improved form this season under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, and Southgate says the change in his demeanour is noticeable.

“You can see with his club there have been happiness in his performances,” said the England boss.

“We have a different version completely to the player we had in the Euros last summer.”

Southgate was also full of praise for his side’s performance, which also saw Phil Foden score on his first start in a World Cup.

He said: “We had complete control of the game in the first half but didn’t create enough clear chances.

“We were a little bit out of balance and we thought we could reverse Marcus and Phil’s sides. Players make those decisions work.

“Watching lots of games the big players have stepped up. And our forwards didn’t do that in the first half but in the second half they really did.

“You need goals from all areas. It is a problem for opposition if the threat is coming from other areas of the pitch. It is competition for places and people have to deliver.”

There had been criticism of Southgate for not starting Foden in the opening two games, and Jude Bellingham, who produced another impressive performance in midfielder, was pleased the City man had an impact on the game.

“We’ve got loads of attacking depth, whoever comes on makes an impact,” he said.

“The changes don’t change the style of the team. I’m really pleased for Phil given the attention on the last few days.

“I think what you saw in the first game was an attacking display, the second was defensive, this was a mix. It was good to tie them up today.”