Gareth Southgate defends Marcus Rashford’s decision to go to New York

Gareth Southgate seems keen to stress his recent quotes about Marcus Rashford were taken out of the context. With a clearer tone the England manager has readdressed the forward’s absence from international duty due to injury.

The Three Lions manager has defended Marcus Rashford’s decision to jet off to the United States after pulling out of the England squad.

However, in Naples during the week, Southgate was quoted as saying “when you haven’t had him that often then it’s different to being a loss.”

Rashford has been one of the most in-form players in Europe this season, scoring an incredible 19 goals in 25 games since his impressive World Cup showing.

At the World Cup in Qatar, Rashford scored 3 goals on the route to the quarter-finals and got just three minutes against France. He was Southgate’s most prolific scorer at the tournament.

Speaking to the press more recently, as per The Independent, Southgate clarified: “I was asked the other day did we miss him and it was semantics of words, really. But he’s in good form, we’d love to have had him as an option for this camp but we haven’t got him.

“Always then I have to think what’s the best solution and it’s opportunities for other people.”

Southgate was then ridiculously asked about Rashford walking around New York rather than linking up with England.

He replied: “I wouldn’t think the levels are quite the same!

“Once he’s ruled out of the squad, it’s entirely up to him how he spends his time.

“The players don’t get a lot of break, so I think for all of them, once they’ve got a little bit of time… I’m sure our players will be flying off wherever after tomorrow’s game. If they get 48 hours with the schedule as it is, I think they have to take advantage of it.”

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