Manchester United World censures Gareth Southgate following the Manager's comment on Marcus Rashford’s persistent withdrawal from England squad

Marcus Rashford’s England future in limbo after Gareth Southgate's comment on persistent withdrawal from Three Lions squad but Manchester United fans have reacted in support of their own, insisting the manager has been unfair with his treatment of the forward.

In the wake of England's first ever win over Italy in 64 years, England manager, Gareth Southgate did not shy when asked about Marcus Rashford in his post match interview.

The world, for those that paid have attention would have noticed the Mancunian’s persistent withdrawal from England squad for qualifiers and friendlies, and Southgate made his feelings known this time.

“Well, the feeling was he was playing really well, but we haven’t often had him. So, in terms of a loss when you haven’t had him that often, then it’s different to being a loss. But without a doubt he was in good form. We were looking forward to seeing him.”

Those were the words of the England boss on Rashford’s absence after goals from Declan Rice and captain, Harry Kane led them to a 2-1 win over the Azzurri in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Napoli.

Rashford, who has been in sensational form for his club this season is in the United States, spending the holidays while England battled Italy, and the manager is obviously not pleased with this by the antics of the club and the player.

However, folks from Manchester have not taken the comment well and in defence of the player, have hit back at the manager, stating he is only getting paid in the same coin for his constant and continual overlooking of the 25-year old in his team selection.

In the season before the 2020 European Championship, Rashford had a wonderful season with Manchester United, where he scored 21 goals and added 16 assists in 57 games across all competitions but in that tournament, he was played four times, all as substitute.

Rashford replaced Phil Foden for the final 20 minutes in England's opening game against Croatia, against Scotland he featured for 15 minutes after replacing captain, Harry Kane, and in the final group game against the Czech Republic, he came on for Raheem Sterling in the 67th minute.

He was an unused substitute in the round of 16 win over Germany and was subbed on for the final 25 minutes in the quarter final against Ukraine, when England already had the game in the bag, leading 4-0.

Rashford was again not selected for the semi finals and in the final, he was subbed on in the final minute of extra time, a cameo which he'll forever despise having gone on to miss his penalty in the shoot-outs.

Rashford, who could have opted to undergo a surgery on his shoulder and have enough time to prepare for the new season was not pleased for not playing a significant role for England in the tournament. He had thought his form would have convinced Southgate to play him more.

After the tournament, Rashford finally underwent the surgery but in a social media activity, he revealed his disappointment of choosing to play in the Euros at the expense of the surgery.

“In hindsight, if I had of known I wouldn’t have played a significant role in the Euros, would I have gone? Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn’t it…

I didn’t want to let anyone down but ultimately looking at some of my performances towards the end of the season I felt like I was.

I’m walking away from last season with 36 goal contributions, but more importantly I’m walking away with lessons learnt.” Rashford wrote.

In the FIFA World Cup last December, Rashford was handed a start in his five appearances, and was the country's joint top scorer in the competition, alongside Bukayo Saka.

Having stepped up when called upon in Qatar, Rashford only played five minutes in their quarter final exit to France, as Southgate favoured Phil Foden on the left, while the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish were also left on the bench.

Obviously, the game time in the competition was not pleasing for Rashford and having become a very crucial player in Manchester United's season, the club and the player himself would not want to risk his fitness for a team, where he is not valued, but only played to avoid injury to the coach’s favorites.

Spoilt with a lot of talented players, it is inevitable that Southgate will not be questioned of his selection and choice of players, and the manager himself is aware of this for a fact. Speaking after the county's elimination from the World Cup in the hands of France, Southgate said:

“I think people are looking at his form post tournament as much as anything. Had Marcus played and the result being like that, they’d have been saying Phil Foden should have played, or Jack Grealish, so I’ve got peace with what we did and how we went about it. I also know that’s how the narrative always works after our games.”

It is undeniable that the words of Southgate carries weight but this is not to be accepted by Manchester United fans, more so that England failed in the tournament, and would have felt Rashford could have made a difference.

On form, he probably would have, so Southgate would have to excuse the critics but this controversy is detrimental to the player's future with the National Team, even so as long as Southgate is the boss.

No excuse for Rashford’s persistent withdrawal though. Absolutely unprofessional. He is not the only player playing a significant role for their club and there are several others with better stake than that of Manchester United but still entertained the invite to bear the flag of their county, and part of them will only train and not even play.

Rashford and Southgate both have part blame in this and the earlier they settle the difference, the better because Rashford’s impact can go a long way for the team, and it'll be useless if he continues to get overlooked by the manager.

Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi