Sam Allardyce has already made a contentious decision as England manager and his first squad hasn’t even been named yet.
The new international boss will not be using Marcus Rashford – one of the few Euro 2016 bright sparks – as the Manchester United striker has been named in Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 squad.
📝 @GarethSouthgate has named a 24-man squad for the upcoming #U21EURO qualifier against Norway in Colchester. pic.twitter.com/x9cqnAcoyA
— England (@England) August 25, 2016
The move makes some sense – Rashford has just 20 minutes under his belt this season and is yet to taste Premier League action under José Mourinho.
It is understandable that Allardyce might prefer strikers playing regular first-team football, but you might not have expected that to stop the inevitable backlash from Manchester United supporters.
Instead, however, we’ve seen a rare measured response from the Old Trafford faithful.
Much rather Rashford playing for the 21's than on bench for the seniors!
— Marshy (@marshy101) August 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/Hannah_D94/status/768800699945811968
Atleast Marcus Rashford will get more minutes in the u21 team which he needs.
— A.M (@ManUtdYeezy) August 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/ClassyWazza/status/768801654107930624
In fact, it’s fans of other clubs who seem to be the ones criticising Allardyce, Mourinho or both for the trajectory of a teenager who did more in five minutes against Iceland than the rest of the team did in 85.
Mourinho is the worst thing that could've happened to Rashford's career. Maybe marginally after Hitler coming to power
— . (@FourFourOnGlue) August 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/mahalaclarke/status/768800814668320774
Marcus Rashford get out while you can kid!!! Career already on the downward spiral since Jose arrived in your life!!! #NoRoomForKids
— Craig Eccleston (@craige_87) August 25, 2016
Other players in the Under-21 squad include Southampton’s Matt Targett and young Manchester City goalkeeper Angus Gunn, so Rashford should get plenty of shooting practice with the younger age group (sorry).
“If he’s less likely to start with the seniors, we think that it’s a good opportunity for him to be with the U21s,” Southgate said in a statement.
England’s Under-21s will face Norway in Coventry on September 6.
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