Chris Sutton believes one Gareth Southgate decision was a ‘slap in the face’ of Marcus Rashford this week.
Marcus Rashford, along with Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, is in the England squad during the first international break of 2024.
The Three Lions are competing in two friendly fixtures so Gareth Southgate can run the rule on his players one final time before making his final selection for Euro 2024.
England are strong favourites to win this summer’s tournament in Germany and Manchester United are likely to be strongly represented.
Reports suggest Mainoo could make his first England start on Tuesday against Belgium after earning his first cap in the friendly defeat to Brazil on Saturday.
Rashford also came on off the bench at Wembley as Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon started ahead of him on the left wing.
It’s a selection decision Chris Sutton believes was slightly insulting to Rashford.
Gareth Southgate’s decision a ‘slap in the face’ to Marcus Rashford
Speaking on BBC’s Monday Night Club, Sutton said: “I think Foden’s going to start in the Euros somewhere.
“But I think the left-back is a position up for grabs but that left-hand side and I just wonder.
“I thought Gordon had a decent game and I just wonder if Gareth would possibly stick with him.
“There’s a bit of a slap in the face for Marcus Rashford, I think, that Anthony Gordon started in front of him, but he didn’t do himself any harm.”
Rashford has a fight on his hands to start for England
Rashford can’t really have any complaints that he isn’t a guaranteed starter for England right now.
The 26-year-old has struggled for form this season, with his levels dropping considerably after his record-setting campaign last term.
Rashford has just eight goals to his name so far this season compared to the 30 he finished last season with and his confidence looked to have taken a hit.
However, there have been promising signs of late, especially now Erik ten Hag has started playing him back on his favoured left flank again.
Rashford scored in his last three games before the international break but he now needs to keep that form up if he is to get into the England starting XI. He’s got a big fight on his hands.