There was mixed news for the Manchester United faithful when Lee Carsley announced his first England squad on Thursday afternoon.
After missing out on this summer’s European Championships for very different reasons, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford may have found themselves sitting by the phone and waiting for the ring.
And Maguire would get his call. Back in the England roster after injury denied him a place in Gareth Southgate’s farewell tournament.
But for Rashford, interim Three Lions boss Carsley has clearly not seen enough from his first three outings of 2024/25 to suggest that this is the right time for a re-call.
Manchester United’s number ten will again be forced to watch on from home as Maguire and co take on the Republic of Ireland and Finland in September’s Nations League fixtures.
And when pressed on why neither Rashford nor Tottenham Hotspur’s in-form playmaker James Maddison got the nod, Carsley insisted that it was purely down to the quality ahead of them in the England pecking order.
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“It is probably not a case of why they are not in. I just think, at the minute, there are players ahead of them,” the former Birmingham City enforcer explains, via Sun Sport on YouTube.
“They are both players that have done really well for England and the clubs in their past. They are both on the radar. I’ve watched them live, both players. So they are definitely players who are going to get considered for the future.”
At present, however, it is admittedly difficult to make a case for Rashford to be included ahead of, say, Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.
While the former is awaiting his first goal of the new campaign – denied by an offside flag in last week’s 2-1 defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion – Madueke fired a blistering 14-minute hat-trick past Wolves as Enzo Maresca’s side ran riot at Molineux.
Madueke also has the advantage of having worked with Carsley before.
The uncapped winger was part of the England side which claimed the title at last summer’s Euro Under 21 championship alongside another Three Lions newcomer; Lyon ace and ex-Manchester United prospect Angel Gomes.
“Noni has done really well for the Under 21s,” adds Carsley. “He has really improved his all round game – his goals and assists – the way he has started the season.
“I think he is a player that will be really pumped for this camp. He is a player I know. I have worked with him in the past. I think he will bring an energy to the squad.”
Harry Maguire gets Three Lions re-call
Rashford also appears to have fallen behind Jack Grealish – despite his underwhelming displays at Man City – and Newcastle’s fleet-footed forward Anthony Gordon.
Maguire, meanwhile, will go up against Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Levi Colwill for a place in England’s starting XI next month, with Carsley highlighting the experience and leadership qualities he brings to a relatively youthful roster.
“Harry Maguire missed out on the Euro squad through injury,” Carsley adds. “I see him as a real good leader, especially with the centre-backs we’ve got.”
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