Marcus Rashford will congratulate the Manchester City players when they arrive at St. George's Park for international duty but admits it's 'not nice' to see his club rivals secure a historic treble.
City quintet Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Phil Foden and Kalvin Phillips were due to join up with the England squad on Tuesday evening, with two Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia to prepare for. Whether any will be fit to play against the former on Friday remains to be seen, with all enjoying a boozy title parade in Manchester on Monday evening.
Pep Guardiola's side won the Champions League on Saturday evening, becoming just the second English side - after United's 1999 squad - to win the treble. Pictures have continued to flow of the squad enjoying their achievements and even taking a private jet to Ibiza for a 12-hour party before Monday's parade.
It's been tough viewing for the red half of Manchester, who were beaten by their rivals in the FA Cup final earlier this month before seeing their sole place as treble winners now occupied by their fiercest rivals.
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Speaking while away with the England squad, Boyhood United fan Rashford admitted it hurt to see city turn blue for celebrations. But he will congratulate his compatriots - maybe through gritted teeth - when they reunite at St George's Park.
"To be honest it's not nice but it's football," the forward told the media. "The best team that's consistently playing the best football is going to win the most trophies. They've managed to win three this year, well done to them. Obviously, we move on. It's up to them to keep it up and then it's up to us to catch them."
And on what he'll say to the City quintet, Rashford added: "Just, 'congratulations'. It’s football and the most consistent team is going to win the most trophies. It's nothing new, you look at Barcelona years ago, Real Madrid, they were consistently the best teams so they are going to win trophies."
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