Manchester United legend Roy Keane has told reported Arsenal target Marcus Rashford that he needs to be performing more consistently to make England's World Cup squad.
Rashford has struggled to do so this season, notching just four goals and two assists in 19 Premier League outings. Some reports earlier this year suggested that the England international was unhappy at Old Trafford and the Mirror have since reported that the Gunners are interested in signing the 24-year-old this summer.
Now, former Republic of Ireland international Keane has claimed that Rashford needs to get back into top form if he wants to be selected by England manager Gareth Southgate. “He’s (Southgate) loyal but he’s not stupid,” Keane told ITV Sport.
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“He needs these players, especially the attacking players, to be performing at club level. People like Rashford, who a few months ago, you thought he was certain to be in the England squad.
“And now he is probably down the pecking order. So, a lot will depend on what these lads do at club level during the next few months.”
Arsenal have enjoyed a successful season so far, sitting fourth in the current Premier League standings after winning 17 of their last 25 league outings. And former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has claimed that Rashford would not be ready to lead Mikel Arteta's attack next season if he was signed this summer.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Cascarino said: 'To be a natural striker, and this is something I learned along the way and I got better at as I got older, so Marcus could become better, because there’s no reason why someone can’t improve, you have to be very, very clinical. You have to punish because, if you’re going to a club like Arsenal, they’re looking to progress and be a Champions League team, so you have to be clinical in front of goal.
"I joked and sometimes called [Alex] Lacazette ‘Lack a finish’, which is a bit harsh because I think he’s a decent player, but he’s not being clinical enough for Arsenal. They’ve needed that, for him to be punishing teams, and I don’t think Marcus is ready to do that at Arsenal."
