Raheem Sterling is Gareth Southgate's go-to left winger. Though he has been out of form this season, it is understandable given his past form for England, especially at the 2020 European Championship.
Alongside Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane, Sterling is part of England's first-choice attacking trio, reducing Marcus Rashford to a role off the bench. The Manchester United forward has been in good form this season and deserves his place in the squad, but it's understandable why he is being used primarily as a substitute given the pace he brings to the game late on against tired legs.
However, what many England fans can't understand is why when Rashford has been brought on he has been deployed on the right-hand side of the attack.
ALSO READ: Four players tipped to sign for United in January
United fans will be able to tell you that Rashford is not as effective on the right as he is on the left. He is right-footed so it makes his shooting angles much trickier and makes it easier for defenders to mark him.
Of course, Rashford does have the ability to overcome these challenges, as England fans saw against Iran when with his first touch he cut inside and sent the defender packing before slotting past the goalkeeper.
But why not sub him on for Sterling? Saka has been one of England's best performers so far and has been a constant outlet on the right-hand side. When England take him off they lose a lot and Sterling often comes off a few minutes later anyway, so why not play Rashford on the left and bring Phil Foden on on the right? Maybe it's because Southgate wants a natural winger and he only has a limited number available to him in the squad but it seems disjointed.
There were many problems on display against the United States. England struggled to control the ball in midfield and Southgate's decision to bring on Jordan Henderson did not solve the issue.
They also failed to break down the US defense, another problem Southgate failed to solve despite bringing on Rashford on the right-hand side.
You would expect that England will still qualify for the knockout stages, but they cannot afford performances like the one they produced against the United States, where they seemingly don't know what to do with the ball once it reaches the halfway line.
This is the best crop of England players for over a decade and it's up to Southgate not to waste the opportunity he's been handed.
READ NEXT:
