Marcus Rashford left out of England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad
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England manager Gareth Southgate with Marcus Rashford at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Marcus Rashford paid the price for his poor season as the Manchester United forward was left out of England manager Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024 on May 21.
The 26-year-old struggled to find his form in an underwhelming campaign, scoring just eight goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils. It was a far cry from his 30 goals in 56 matches in the 2022-23 season.
He had been criticised by United fans for a lack of effort, for walking around the pitch on numerous occasions, while he showed his displeasure by calling out the “abuse” directed at him on social media.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Chelsea skipper Reece James were among other big names to miss out on the squad, that must be trimmed to a maximum of 26 before the tournament in Germany begins on June 14.
“These are difficult calls. With Marcus, I just feel other players in that area have had better seasons. It’s as simple as that. This has been as complicated a group as I can remember picking,” Southgate said about Rashford’s absence.
Rashford has earned 60 caps and scored 17 goals, including three at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling also missed out, but his teammate Cole Palmer was included after a superb season.
United’s Luke Shaw is also in the provisional squad, despite being out for a lengthy period with injury.
Several uncapped players – Liverpool duo Curtis Jones, 23, and Jarell Quansah, 21, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, 20, made the provisional list.
Southgate will cut his squad to 26 by the June 7 deadline. The Three Lions will take on Serbia on June 16 before facing Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to set a Euro record after he was named in Portugal’s 26-man squad by coach Roberto Martinez.
The striker, 39, will be appearing in his 11th major international tournament. He played his first at Euro 2004 and will be making a record sixth appearance in Germany.
In other news, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos, 34, announced on the same day that he will retire from all football after Euro 2024.
Before the international swansong, the 2014 World Cup winner has a chance to win the Champions League with Real for a fifth time when they face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1.
In a statement on their website, Real said Kroos “will go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football’s greatest legends”.
Kroos has also won the La Liga title four times. In total, he won more than 20 trophies in 463 appearances for Real. AFP, REUTERS
England provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Jarell Quansah, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton
Forwards: Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins
