Marcus Rashford was the surprise name on Roy Hodgson’s 26-man European Championships “long” list despite the fact the England manager has never so much as spoken to the Manchester United teenager.
The 18-year-old has scored seven goals for United this season and is included as a fifth striker in an extended squad for the upcoming friendly internationals to compensate for injury concerns over Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson – and the fact that both the United and Liverpool contingent still have a club game to play before Hodgson whittles his list down to the final 23 the day after the friendly against Australia on May 27.
In truth, only injury to Hodgson’s frontline strikeforce – Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge – is likely to see Rashford board the plane to France. But the England manager is ruling nothing out.
“I haven’t spent any time with him, but Ray Lewington and Gary Neville have watched him a lot and we have had conversations with people at the club about him and everyone is excited about his potential and development,” said Hodgson.
“In an area where we are quite strong it is nice to bring in someone else as an alternative. He is in a stage of development.
“He deserves to be selected, certainly in this larger squad, and it will be very interesting to see what he can do.
“In the week that we work with him and possibly a game or part of a game that he plays we might start thinking, ‘We really need this fella!’
“There’s no reason if he does exceptionally well why he can’t knock someone off their perch – although that will be harder than some people expect because the people who’ve played over the past two years have done a very good job for us.”
Hodgson made calls on Sunday evening to three big names to miss the cut – Theo Walcott, Michael Carrick and Phil Jagielka – although the latter is thought to have privately indicated his willingness to be called back from holiday should Hodgson’s controversial plan to travel with only three recognised centre-backs backfire.
COMMENTS