Close menu

Marcus Rashford Euro 2016 inclusion unlikely - Roy Hodgson

Last updated on .From the section Englandcomments135

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford does not turn 19 until 31 October

England boss Roy Hodgson says he would have to sacrifice a player who has "more reason to be called up" in order to fit teenage striker Marcus Rashford in his Euro 2016 squad.

Manchester United forward Rashford, 18, has seven goals in 13 outings since making his senior debut in February.

Hodgson has been "very impressed" with the teenager but said it was "unlikely" he would take him to France.

"I think it would be a very bold decision to put him in," added Hodgson.

Rashford, who is still six months short of his 19th birthday, marked his senior debut with two goals against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Since then, the England Under-20 international has scored four Premier League goals, including winners against Manchester City and Aston Villa.

The youngster also scored at West Ham to help United book an FA Cup semi-final date at Wembley with Everton.

In March, Hodgson said he would "neither rule him in or rule him out" when asked if Rashford could make his squad for France this summer.

England's Euro 2016 Group B fixtures
11 Junev RussiaMarseille20:00 BST
16 Junev WalesLens14:00 BST
20 Junev SlovakiaSaint-Etienne20:00 BST

Hodgson has numerous attacking options in the shape of United's Wayne Rooney, Tottenham's Harry Kane, Leicester's Jamie Vardy, Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal's Danny Welbeck.

In addition, West Ham's Andy Carroll has staked a claim after scoring six goals in his last five league games.

"I think it would mean possibly leaving someone behind who, at the moment, has more reason to be called up," said Hodgson when again asked about Rashford.

"But you never know. The fact is it would be foolish as well to say 'no, no, he's not ready, he can't do it'.

"I am sure he could do it.

"It's not inconceivable but it looks unlikely to me with the current players we've got and the competition for places in that area of the field."

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

135 comments

  • Comment posted by User0538719272, at 11:01 22 Apr 2016

    That's the same number of goals Rooney has scored in 24 games, so surely Rashford has more reason to be called up than him.

  • Comment posted by User0145109067, at 11:16 22 Apr 2016

    Wouldn't mind roy sacrificing Sterling for Rashford, can't imagine sterling projecting positive vibes around the England camp after last year.
    Then again that isn't going to happen because as we all know, if you cost £50 mill & you're on £100'000+ you automatically selected :/ if not, you've been 'bullied' apparently.

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 10:58 22 Apr 2016

    Why is Hodgson still intent on taking Rooney? At least if we take Rashford (or even Carroll) then we have a wider range of options. With Rooney we are setting up to fail on the big stage yet again.

  • Comment posted by User0929040962, at 11:09 22 Apr 2016

    I think Roy is sensibly trying to keep a lid on media hype. He did something a bit similar when he tried to deflect criticism away from Jamie Vardy for diving. It's all about man management. We'll see what he really thinks when he picks the squad.

  • Comment posted by lewissuth, at 11:00 22 Apr 2016

    No need to rush him, leave him to do what he's doing at club level and in a few years England could have a real world class striker to chose from.

  • Comment posted by D Jones, at 11:16 22 Apr 2016

    Down the years the truly outstanding "world class" young players emerge if given the chance at the earliest opportunity e.g. Pele, Best, Gazza etc. Whilst I`m not saying Rashford could tie any of their bootlaces it would be bloody interesting to find out if he could by using the magic of youthful enthusiasm before it fades over time.

  • Comment posted by red leader, at 10:58 22 Apr 2016

    As impressive as he has been so far, it's too early for him. No need to rush him into the team for the sake of it like SVG did with Walcott. Hopefully, one for the future.

  • Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 11:16 22 Apr 2016

    I'm all for giving youth a chance. But we've been here before with Walcott in 2006.

    Get Rashford into the U21 set up and if he continues to improve at his current rate by this time next year he'll be getting a senior call up.

  • Comment posted by Ohcomeonnow, at 11:07 22 Apr 2016

    Rooney is going to have a seat on the plane - the question is who is being left behind to accommodate him - Rashford? History constantly tells us do not play someone out of position just to include them. Rooney is not midfield he is a striker. Rashford is preferred at MUFC as a striker. Rashford should go not Rooney.

  • Comment posted by snafu, at 11:36 22 Apr 2016

    I'd rather he went instead of rooney.
    Time for a change, but i dont think it will happen !

  • Comment posted by Whiteside of 606, at 10:58 22 Apr 2016

    No need to rush Marcus into the squad. For once we have decent options up front.

  • Comment posted by NicholasOtamendiForBallonDor2017, at 14:32 22 Apr 2016

    Well a striker's main job is to score goals. Rashford is scoring, Rooney isn't. Do the math it's simple. Rooney has NEVER done anything in ANY big matches. And yes I can remember when he scored 4 goals in THE GROUP STAGE of euro 2004! That was back when Arsenal were good so basically ages ago!

  • Comment posted by User0038837066, at 11:06 22 Apr 2016

    He'd be better than Rooney, Walcott or 'The Ox'.

  • Comment posted by User0504291129, at 11:28 22 Apr 2016

    He might be worth a punt, or maybe wait 'til the next WC. If Roy H did pick him over the whiner Sterling he might have a more content squad at the Euros

  • Comment posted by D Jones, at 11:57 22 Apr 2016

    I`ve got to say the U 21`s is not the place to realise Marcus Rashford`s potential and I know visionaries like Cloughie or Fergie would have definitely included him in the England squad. To win competitions you need to have something different and Marcus could be the breath of fresh air that youth adds to a team.

  • Comment posted by MJ02, at 12:06 22 Apr 2016

    "I think it would be a very bold decision to put him in," added Hodgson.

    Says it all. England are too timid in their selection process, and pick on reputation instead of form. Sorry England fans, but you won't win much like that.

  • Comment posted by User0727968219, at 12:29 22 Apr 2016

    The manager just needs to say that no places are guaranteed on the plane and everyone has to still fight for their places.
    Which is true (or certainly should be).
    There is still plenty of time for players to get injured, loose form, find form.

  • Comment posted by User0591910325, at 12:10 22 Apr 2016

    I think because Kane and Vardy have emerged this is the one time we go into a major tournament where our strength is our forwards. Any other time Rashford would have been a good pick but not now.

  • Comment posted by Linense, at 11:59 22 Apr 2016

    Absolutely no way Sterling should go. Rashford if he keeps scoring, definitely.

  • Comment posted by Stebizzle, at 12:58 22 Apr 2016

    "Terrible player, he will end up another Macheda. Typical United fans to overhype mediocre talent.

    Liverpool have for the last 20 years contributed more players to England, and made the backbone of the squad. The likes of Henderson,Clyne, Milner are all world class talent...."

    I can't work out if this guy is a die hard Liverpool fan or a comedian.

Elsewhere on the BBC