Marcus Rashford’s Journey Back to England Duty
It has been a full year since Marcus Rashford last donned the England jersey, making a brief 15-minute appearance off the bench during a friendly against Brazil at Wembley. Following a dip in form at Manchester United, Rashford was notably absent from Gareth Southgate’s final squad for Euro 2024. Furthermore, interim England manager Lee Carsley chose to overlook the 27-year-old when selecting his squads for the autumn Nations League fixtures. This 16-match hiatus from international duty indicated a significant shift within the national team setup, especially with a plethora of younger forwards emerging on the scene.
Game 1: Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham
Rashford made his Villa debut coming off the bench in the FA Cup victory, where he played the last 24 minutes. This appearance was crucial for him to shake off the rust after being sidelined by Ruben Amorim at United since early December. He recorded 22 touches, executed a dribble, and made two tackles as he settled into the left-wing position.
Game 2: Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich
In what could be considered one of his standout performances, Rashford replaced Jacob Ramsey at halftime and showcased an eagerness to impress. He executed six dribbles, successfully nutmegging full-back Ben Johnson, and created the most chances (four) of any player on the pitch. His free-kick strike hit the post, leading to Watkins scoring from the rebound, further highlighting Rashford’s impact off the bench.
Game 3: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Making his first start for Villa, Rashford played 67 minutes and continued to shine. He witnessed one of his efforts cleared off the line and won a free-kick that resulted in Youri Tielemans’ equalizer, reinforcing his growing influence in the team.
Game 4: Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
In a transformative performance, Rashford came on at halftime and assisted both of Marco Asensio’s goals, helping Villa stage a comeback against Chelsea. His first assist was a quick-thinking low cross, followed by a more measured delivery from the wing. Jamie Redknapp praised his contribution on Sky Sports, stating, “That sub made all the difference… He was fantastic. The Holte End have a new hero.”
Game 5: Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
In a disappointing outing, Rashford had only 22 minutes of play in a forgettable match for Villa. He came on with the score at 2-1 but managed just 11 touches as Palace dominated the latter stages of the game, which wasn’t ideal with Tuchel watching from the stands.
Game 6: Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City
Rashford started again and contributed to a third assist for Asensio, providing another first-time cutback. He played 82 minutes, his longest outing yet, and his burgeoning chemistry with Asensio was evident. By this match’s conclusion, Opta reported that Rashford had created more chances than any other Premier League player (13) since his Villa debut.
Game 7: Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villa
In what was his third start, Rashford had a lackluster performance, struggling to make an impact as Villa was outplayed for substantial parts of the match. His substitution came before a late double that swung the game in Villa’s favor.
The Verdict: Should Tuchel Pick Rashford?
With seven games in less than a month, Rashford will likely see action again against Brentford on Saturday. It’s critical for him to bounce back from a lackluster display in Belgium. Overall, he has done enough to revitalize his England prospects, creating chances and playing with renewed enthusiasm. Notably, he appears to be in better form than contemporaries like Palmer, Foden, and Grealish.
However, this recent resurgence may not be sufficient to secure a spot in the upcoming squad. Recent history suggests that Foden and Palmer could be favored for selection. With established players like Kane and Watkins almost guaranteed slots, alongside Eze, Gordon, Bowen, and the promising Nwaneri, Rashford finds himself in a precarious “maybe” category.
As Tuchel weighs his options, he might consider reaching out to Rashford to commend him on his impressive start while explaining the decision to hold off on including him in the squad—for now. Rashford’s determination has certainly reopened doors, but remaining at Bodymoor Heath to work on his fitness might be the wiser choice, especially as he has yet to complete a full match for Villa, averaging just 50 minutes per game.
If he concludes the season strong, he could force Tuchel’s hand when it comes to the World Cup qualifiers in June. Scoring against Brentford or Bruges could shift the narrative once again.
