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‘Really shocked’: Merson left bewildered by Rashford’s England omission, would’ve ‘100 per cent’ taken him

Originally posted on Stretty News | By Isabel Ryan | Last updated 5/21/24

While Marcus Rashford’s form hasn’t been anywhere near the standard expected of him this season, fans are still surprised to see him omitted from England’s provisional Euros squad.

Indeed, the Manchester United star has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s initial 30-man selection, which will need to reduce to 26 players before the tournament kicks off on June 14.

Rashford, 26, netted eight times in 42 appearances across all competitions at club level this term amidst yet another below-par campaign for the 20-time champions, as it culminated with them recording their lowest-ever Premier League finish in eighth place.

However, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have received call-ups, despite the latter struggling with yet another year plagued by injury woes. Kobbie Mainoo has also been included for the second consecutive camp just two months on from making his senior international debut.

Confirming the #ThreeLions' pre-#EURO2024 training squad!

— England (@England) May 21, 2024

When reacting to Southgate’s somewhat controversial choices on Sky Sports this morning, Paul Merson was left baffled by the manager’s decision to leave Rashford out.

Merson bewildered by Rashford’s omission

“I think it’s huge news, huge breaking news. As you say, 60 caps, [he’s] been in tournaments, scores goals. He [Southgate] can rely on him [Rashford]. If it was any other time, you’d probably go, ‘It’s not a shock’. But with Gareth, Gareth picks people if they’re out of form. He picks people even if they’re not in their team [at club level]. So I’m really shocked.”

“And he hasn’t been good,” the former Gunner reasoned. “But tournament football is so, so much different. I would’ve took him, I would’ve took him 100 per cent. I don’t know if it’s anything to do with up here [mentally], I don’t know if Gareth’s talked to him and that’s the reason, I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going on in the lad’s life. But as a player, he’s played in tournaments before, it’s so important. Tournament football is like no other football. It’s different to friendlies, playing at home to Brazil and teams like that.”

"As a player, he's played in tournaments before. It's so important"

Paul Merson says he's shocked that Marcus Rashford wasn't selected in Gareth Southgate's provisional Euro 2024 squad pic.twitter.com/aEaVmMY9UG

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 21, 2024