Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho’s form for Manchester United is reportedly set to be rewarded with timely recalls to the England squad.
The United duo have been missing from Gareth Southgate’s recent squads following a dreadful 2021/22 club campaign. The arrival of Erik ten Hag has helped reinvigorate the England pair, who have been central to United’s four-game winning streak in the Premier League.
Rashford has contributed three goals and two assists in six Premier League games so far this season, with Ten Hag using him as a central striker, while Sancho has returned two goals, with his dribbling ability and speed on the break key to the hugely-important 2-1 victory over Liverpool last month.
Sancho has not been picked for an England squad since October 2021 and Rashford not since November 2021. But the Daily Mail reports that they are ‘likely’ to return to the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Italy and Germany.
Southgate will name his squad on Thursday for the matches, which will take place at Milan’s San Siro on Friday, September 23 and Wembley Stadium, on September 26. The two matches could be absolutely crucial in terms of selection for the World Cup, given they are the final two matches before Southgate will have to decide on his squad for the tournament, which kicks off on November 20 in Qatar. England face Iran in their opening Group B game a day later.
Rashford’s chances of a recall have been boosted by his own form, as well as problems with England’s other options up front. Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is currently out injured, while Ollie Watkins has only scored once this season for a struggling Aston Villa side. He could, however, receive fresh competition from in-form Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
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Sancho faces competition for places from the likes of Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Jarrod Bowen and Mason Mount in wide attacking areas. The 22-year-old has scored three goals in his 23 caps so far for the Three Lions.
Southgate is expected to name his provisional squad for the World Cup on or around October 19 – a month before the tournament starts. He will be able to take an enlarged squad of 26 to Qatar, where England face Iran, USA and Wales.
Ian Wright certainly believes that Rashford would be worthy of an England recall. “Rashford looks reborn, he’s putting the pot on the fire because he’s ready to cook,” he said this week. “In that instance [running through on goal], he looks unstoppable. The only thing that is going to stop him is if the pass isn’t good enough, or his touch isn’t good enough. Both of the finishes got a little clip off somebody, but he’s getting the luck now. With his pace, he is f****** dangerous.”
