England national team manager Gareth Southgate has issued a warning to Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford regarding his off-field behavior.
Rashford was recently dropped by United for their FA Cup match against Newport County after missing training, which was reportedly due to a night out in a Belfast nightclub.
Although Rashford has since accepted responsibility and returned to the team, Southgate has made it clear that he is monitoring the situation closely.
With the Euro 2024 squad announcement just around the corner, Southgate is keeping a close eye on all players, including Rashford.
The England boss emphasized that he is not just watching players’ performances on the pitch but also their behavior off the pitch.
Southgate’s warning to Rashford suggests that the player’s place in the England squad is not guaranteed, and he will need to be mindful of his conduct in the coming weeks.
Rashford has been a regular member of the England squad, earning 59 caps, but he faces stiff competition for a starting spot.
Southgate has a plethora of talented attackers at his disposal, including Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, James Maddison, and Phil Foden.
Rashford’s performance for United this season has been decent, with five goals and six assists in 28 games, but he will need to maintain his form and keep his head down off the pitch to secure a spot in Southgate’s final squad.
Southgate’s comments suggest that he is willing to make tough decisions and will not hesitate to drop players who do not meet his standards.
The England boss has a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian, and his warning to Rashford is a clear indication that he will not tolerate any behavior that could disrupt the team’s harmony or distract from their goal of succeeding at Euro 2024.
Rashford’s incident is a reminder that players are under constant scrutiny, and their behavior off the pitch can have consequences for their careers.
Southgate’s warning serves as a reminder to all players that they need to be mindful of their conduct and maintain high standards both on and off the pitch.
Southgate’s warning to Rashford is a clear indication that he is serious about building a strong and disciplined team that can succeed at Euro 2024.
Rashford and all other players in contention for a spot in the England squad would do well to take heed of Southgate’s words and ensure that they maintain high standards both on and off the pitch.
With the squad announcement just around the corner, the pressure is on, and only time will tell if Rashford and other players can rise to the challenge.
