Marcus Rashford’s note to Erik ten Hag during elegant England display
Marcus Rashford must occasionally ponder if it was prudent to sign that lengthy contract a few months ago, as Manchester United stumbles from one crisis to the next.
Old Trafford remains a wonderful place to be, and Rashford has secured the deal of a lifetime.
Rashford may have been envious of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham over the past week or so, the duo basking in the glow of stardom at clubs that retain the glamour that United is rapidly losing.
Gareth Southgate must trust, however, that Rashford remains content at his club, that his confidence remains unshaken, and that he remains as enthusiastic and motivated as ever.
Southgate expects him to approach in this manner at every England training camp.
Rashford’s impact on this England team is undeniable when he is in top form, as there is no room for doubt.
He was present at Hampden Park on a night when Southgate’s celebrated collection of attacking talent ran through its extensive repertoire, particularly in the first half, when they threatened to completely dismantle the hapless Scots.
And as many observers expected to be the case at Qatar 2022, this is an England side that looks more threatening, looks more potent, with Rashford in its ranks.
The key to England’s relative success is the fluidity of their offensive options. They are the leading scorers in European Championship qualifying as a result.
And because Southgate has so many combinations available, he cannot guarantee a starting position for anyone other than Kane. After this, it seems almost inconceivable that Southgate would not make Phil Foden an automatic starter.
Never mind the debate over whether or not he can play a central role, never mind where Pep Guardiola and Southgate believe his finest position to be, and never mind the debate over whether or not he can play a central role.
Foden can not only play anywhere in front of the defensive line, he can excel there.
The brazenness of his finish for England’s opening goal mirrored the brazenness of his overall performance.
Nonetheless, if you look back at the lengthy buildup to that goal, you will notice Rashford’s early pass and the United player’s diagonal surge that turned his opponents into traffic cones.
But Rashford’s arsenal includes much more than directness and speed, and much of it was on display in Glasgow. The no-look reverse pass was demonstrated, and his distributing versatility is one of his underrated attributes.
Marcus Rashford’s note to Erik ten Hag during elegant England display