Marcus Rashford was not ‘demoted’ by Sam Allardyce, claims England U21s manager Gareth Southgate
Young Lions boss tips Man Utd ace to have a 'hell of a future' but says he will benefit from regular game time
GARETH SOUTHGATE insists Marcus Rashford was not “demoted” to his England Under-21s and believes he will benefit from regular international football.
The 18-year-old was left out of Sam Allardyce’s first England squad for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier with Slovakia despite scoring on his senior debut and impressing from the bench at Euro 2016.
It is the Manchester United striker’s first time with the U21s, previously winning caps at U16, U18 and U20 level before his spell with the senior side.
And the U21s boss believes his inclusion in the squad for the Euro qualifier with Norway on Tuesday should be seen more as an opportunity to impress than a setback.
Southgate said: "It is not a demotion to be with the U21s, not at all.
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"It is a chance for him to start matches and it is a valuable experience paying for your country at any level and Marcus will benefit from it.
"Many have already benefited from their time with the U21s and to be part of the squad that goes to Russia [World Cup 2018] should be his target – along with the other players I have with me.
"We speak regularly and he [Allardyce] told me what was likely to happen [regarding Rashford's selection].
"Marcus has one hell of a future and with the U21s, hopefully, we can help him develop his potential.”
With qualification for next summer’s U21 tournament almost within touching distance, Southgate believes the experiences on offer with his age-group should be something all players, including Rashford, should strive to sample.
Southgate, speaking to the FA’s website, added: "The U21s have a vital role to play. It teaches players to mix with those from other clubs, to play in different countries and play in different conditions to what they are used to at club level.
"That is what they faced in Toulon in the summer – and they won so that will hopefully be great preparation for the time they get called up for the senior squad.
"So in no way can it be a demotion. It is the chance to give Marcus and other young players a taste of international football."