Marcus Rashford's international future hangs by a thread as England manager Gareth Southgate prepares to make the toughest call of his selection career. The Manchester United forward, once considered an automatic pick for the Three Lions, now faces the very real prospect of watching Euro 2024 from home.
From Hero to Heartbreak: Rashford's Dramatic Fall from Grace
The 26-year-old's dramatic decline has been one of the Premier League's most troubling stories this season. After netting 30 goals in all competitions last campaign, Rashford has managed just eight this term - a statistic that makes grim reading for both club and country.
Southgate, known for his loyalty to players who have served him well, appears to have reached breaking point with the United academy graduate. With competition fiercer than ever in attacking positions, Rashford's place is no longer guaranteed.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Statistical Nightmare for United Star
Rashford's performance metrics make for uncomfortable viewing. Among Premier League forwards this season, he ranks:
- Outside the top 50 for goals scored
- Well below average for successful dribbles
- Struggling for consistent creative output
These figures starkly contrast with his international rivals, all enjoying superior campaigns at their respective clubs.
Southgate's Selection Headache: Who Makes the Cut?
The England boss faces an embarrassment of riches in attacking areas, with several players outperforming Rashford significantly:
- Phil Foden - Manchester City's talisman enjoying career-best form
- Bukayo Saka - Arsenal's consistent match-winner
- Cole Palmer - Chelsea's revelation with 20+ Premier League goals
- Jarrod Bowen - West Ham's reliable goal threat
- Anthony Gordon - Newcastle's electric winger
This fierce competition means Southgate could name his Euro 2024 squad without Rashford for the first time in a major tournament since 2016.
International Experience Counts for Little in Ruthless Selection Process
Despite earning 60 caps and scoring 17 international goals, Rashford's experience may not be enough to save him. Southgate has shown increasing willingness to favour current form over past achievements, making this potentially the most competitive England squad selection in recent memory.
"When you have players performing at the level we're seeing from Palmer, Gordon and others, it becomes very difficult to justify selecting someone based on what they did twelve months ago," a source close to the England setup revealed.
What Next for Rashford's England Career?
At 26, Rashford should be entering his prime years, but instead faces a career crossroads. Exclusion from the Euro 2024 squad would represent the biggest setback of his international career and raise serious questions about his long-term England future.
The coming weeks will be crucial as Southgate finalises his plans ahead of the June 7 deadline for squad submissions. For Rashford, it's a nervous wait that could define his summer and potentially his international career.
