Euro 2024: Why is Marcus Rashford not in England’s provisional squad?

After a beyond impressive 2022/23 season, a lot was expected from Marcus Rashford as Manchester United hoped to improve their top four place in the following season. But things never went to plan for either party as both sides struggled to put their best foot forward. That wasn’t down to injuries with Rashford just struggling to find his best level as the season progressed.

So much so, that he was eventually dropped by Erik ten Hag for the final games of the season and he ended the term with 8 goals and 5 assists across all competitions. Things didn’t fair any better for Manchester United as they finished 8th on the league table, missing out on European football in the process. It had many wondering how Gareth Southgate would react ahead as the England boss was set to name his squad for Euro 2024.

Rashford and Jordan Henderson dropped for Euro 2024

With the tournament set to kick off from the 14th of June, England and Southgate finally named their squad but in the process the Three Lions boss shocked a few fans and critics alike. Southgate has made a few big decisions when naming his 33-man squad, which will be cut down to 26 by the 8th of June, by dropping both Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson.

The duo aren’t the only two missing but are the biggest names by far to be omitted. While the move has come as a shock to a few, Southgate admitted that the options he has at his disposal are far better than what he has had in the past. That is reflected in the squad as there is a youthful and fresh look to the squad with Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, Jarell Quansah and a few others making the cut.

Not only that, the England boss asserted that the players he picked had better seasons than Rashford and that’s the only reason he was omitted.

“I just feel other players in that area of the pitch have had better seasons (compared to Rashford). That’s it. There’s definitely much more attacking options than compared to other squads [in the past]. There’s a lot of tournament experience now, even with our younger players,” Southgate said, reported the Guardian.

“We’re really happy with where the squad is at. But everything starts from zero. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done in the past.”

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