Manchester United’s season to date has had more disappointments than achievements, with a lack of attacking inspiration regularly detailed as the key reason Louis van Gaal’s side are struggling to finish in the top four.
However, things could have been a lot worse for the Red Devils if Marcus Rashford’s emergence at Old Trafford had not been so dramatic. The 18-year-old starlet has scored the winner in a Manchester derby, a decisive strike in the FA Cup against West Ham and a brace against Arsenal. In total Rashford has netted an impressive four goals in the space of eight Premier League starts for the Red Devils, with the teenager looking adept in English football’s top flight despite his tender age. If Van Gaal and the powers that be at Old Trafford can keep the striker’s feet on the ground and help him to reach his potential, United could well have a future world-beater on their hands.
Such has been Rashford’s impressive form that a chorus stating that the centre forward should be in England’s EURO 2016 squad has been steadily getting louder.
The United starlet could well be the golden boy of the next generation of home-grown players, and his form in club colours has certainly been impressive. However, given his lack of experience and the other options at Roy Hodgson’s disposal, Rashford’s name should not be among the contingent heading to France in June.
The youngster’s team-mate, national captain Wayne Rooney, looks set to face a battle to start for the Three Lions this summer. The scintillating form of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy has lit up the Premier League this season, with the former looking destined to lead the line for England, while Roy Hodgson also has the options of Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge and an in-form Andy Carroll. Theo Walcott could actually not even be in the squad.
If England were short of attacking options, then thinking about the inclusion of Rashford would make sense.
However, as it is, international quality centre forwards are set to miss out on a place in the Three Lions’ team and Hodgson has some tough choices to make in that position.
There is the argument that Rashford’s development would be aided by the experience of accompanying the group to France, but if he is to live up to his potential there will be plenty of future opportunities for the striker to feature at international level.
In the short-term, and with England looking to have a positive campaign at EURO 2016, Hodgson has more experienced, rounded and able strikers at his disposal than a teenager than has played only a handful of club games.
Rashford may well be in the reckoning once the World Cup in Russia rolls around in two years’ time, but EURO 2016 has come slightly too soon for the boy wonder.
[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]
