Roy Hodgson has named Manchester United’s teenage sensation Marcus Rashford in his provisional England squad for Euro 2016, despite cautions from the Red Devils’ assistant manager Ryan Giggs and academy director Nicky Butt.
18-year-old Marcus Rashford was a shock selection in the 26-man provisional squad for Euro 2016. The Manchester United youngster has never represented the senior team and only broke into the Red Devils’ first team in the second half of this season.
However, he has proved decisive in big matches against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, and England manager Roy Hodgson believes that this could be a chance for Rashford to prove himself on the international stage.
“The competition is quite strong, he [Rashford] will understand that, but he deserves to be selected in this larger squad,” Hodgson said, according to the Guardian.
“It will be interesting to see what he can do. It may only be for one week but I am pleased he has had such a good end to the season. It’s great to be able to include him. There’s no reason why he can’t knock someone off their perch but it will be harder than some people might expect.”
New look England squad as Hodgson banks on Leicester and Spurs talent to fire
The England squad features a number of players from the two teams who took the Premier League by storm this season — Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs players Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Harry Kane and Dele Alli will all be playing their first major tournament and form the youthful core of the Three Lions team.
It is a similar situation for the more experienced Leicester City duo of Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy. All seven players have been phenomenal this season, and Hodgson will hope their club form translates into quality performances in an England shirt.
Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has been left out of the squad. The news comes as a further blow in a season that has been going steadily downhill for the former Southampton man, who has once again struggled with injuries and consistency issues this season.
England’s 26-man provisional squad for Euro 2016
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton (Burnley), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham), Ross Barkley (Everton), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Andros Townsend (Newcastle United). Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
