Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has pulled out of the England squad to work on his fitness.
Rashford’s initial call-up was the first time Gareth Southgate has included him in his Three Lions plans since Euro 2020.
He has three goals in six games since his return from injury, and has earned praise from Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.
Speaking on the Match of the Day Top 10 show, Lineker, who scored 48 goals for England during his career, made his admiration for Rashford clear.
“He’s a wonderful human being and a brilliant footballer,” said Lineker. “Super talented.
“His performances generally are (good), he performs. Perhaps he could score a few (more); he’s not a natural poacher. I love him when he plays on that left hand side and goes at players and makes things happen.
“The worry and it will happen at some point, are the people who – when he has a little bad patch – will go: ‘it’s because you’re not focusing on football’.
“Even though it’s nonsense, because he has already performed really well over a long period of time. It happens; they build you up and then they go for you.”
Obviously, it is not an especially good time for any United player right now.
Rashford will be pleased with his goal return since coming back to fitness, but he suffered a knock ahead of the Manchester City clash and clearly is not fit enough to link up with England.
He has huge competition for his place in the side at both club and international level now.
Criticism is coming every United player’s way at the moment and it is up to Rashford to be among those who react well to that.
- 10 best Man Utd fan reactions to Shea Lacey’s first-half performance against Rosenborg, one feeling is clear
- Who is Nicolò Tresoldi? The Italy-born Germany youth striker linked with Man Utd
- Youri Tielemans’ past injuries and age cannot overshadow immediate solution solved in Man Utd’s post-Casemiro era
- I was desperate for Man United to sign Eduardo Camavinga, but his latest Real Madrid decision is a worry
- Joshua Zirkzee’s stance on Juventus move could fast-track Man Utd exit
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
