England manager Gareth Southgate has staunchly defended his decision not to utilise Marcus Rashford further at the World Cup.
The Three Lions were dumped out by eventual runners-up France in the quarter-finals last month, with Rashford playing a mere five minutes as a late substitute. Southgate was criticised for his decision to leave the Manchester United star on the bench for so long and Rashford's outstanding form since the tournament has only lent more credence to that argument.
With 10 goals in his last 10 games at club level, the 25-year-old forward is in the form of his life. However, Southgate stands by his call to play the likes of Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka ahead of him, as Rashford's only start came when he bagged a brace in the final group game against Wales. "I think people are looking at his form post-tournament as much as anything," the England boss told ITV.
