England manager Roy Hodgson urges rookie striker Marcus Rashford to “knock someone off their perch” and force his way to Euro 2016
England boss Roy Hodgson has challenged uncapped Manchester Untied striker Marcus Rashford to knock a member of the Three Lions’ established order “off their perch” after calling the teenager into his expanded 26-man squad for Euro 2016.
Rashford, who has never played for England’s Under-21 side, only made his United debut in February following an Old Trafford injury crisis but has enjoyed a meteoric rise and netted seven goals in 16 appearances.
The 18-year-old’s chances of making a late dash into Hodgson’s plans were boosted by the long-term knee injury suffered by Danny Welbeck, although Rashford can now press his claim for a place in the final 23.
His involvement in Saturday’s FA Cup final, which rules him out of England’s friendly with Turkey 24 hours later, means Rashford may have just handful of opportunities to impress.
Hodgson plans to have his travelling party sorted by the final warm-up clash with Portugal, leaving the game with Australia on 27 May as the rookie’s sole match in which to shine.
“He’s one of the contenders, of course,” said Hodgson. “There’s no reason, if he does exceptionally well, why he can’t knock someone off their perch.
“Marcus taking on that important role of centre-forward at Manchester United at quite a difficult period of time in the year hasn’t gone unnoticed from our side. We’re keen to see what he can do.
“In the week that we work with him and possibly a game or part of a game that he plays, we might start thinking ‘we really need this fella, he is actually better than some of the others we were contemplating ahead of him a few months ago’.”
Rashford’s inclusion came at the expense of Theo Walcott, who himself received a shock call-up to the 2006 World Cup aged 17, while Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson were both included despite fitness concerns.
Wilshere broke his leg in pre-season and only made his first start of the campaign in Arsenal’s final match against Aston Villa, but Hodgson insists the reward of having the midfielder on board outweighs the risk.
“He has proved that [he is fit enough to be selected]," added Hodgson. "He will now have to prove to us that he is going to be 100 per cent capable of doing the job we know he can do when he is fit and able to play.”
Hodgson has also refused to give any guarantees over the selection of skipper Wayne Rooney, whose role as a central attacker is under threat from Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy – the duo netted 49 Premier League goals between them this term.
Hodgson said: “To my knowledge, he certainly isn’t demanding he will play in the opening game and I am under no pressure to select him in the opening game unless I deem him the right man for the job.”