Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford faced disappointment as he was excluded from England manager Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-player squad for Euro 2024, announced on Tuesday.
Joining Rashford on the sidelines were notable names such as former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Chelsea’s Reece James, in a squad that will later be trimmed to a maximum of 26 players ahead of the tournament in Germany.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton secured his first-ever call-up following a strong finish to the Premier League season.
Southgate’s defensive options include uncapped players like Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones.
England’s pre-tournament fixtures include matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland before heading to Germany, where they are among the tournament favorites.
Rashford, who struggled with form and injuries, failed to make the squad for a major international tournament for the first time since the 2014 World Cup, having scored eight goals in 42 appearances for Manchester United this season.
Regarding Rashford’s omission, Southgate stated, “These are difficult calls. With Marcus, I just feel other players in that area have had better seasons. It’s as simple as that.”
In response, Rashford posted on social media, “Wishing Gareth and the boys all the best.”
Despite a resurgence at Borussia Dortmund, Jadon Sancho was also left out, while Raheem Sterling and Kalvin Phillips were notable absentees.
Included in the squad are talents like Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who will support England’s top goalscorer, Harry Kane.
England’s journey begins against Serbia on June 16, followed by matches against Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
Southgate’s side narrowly missed out on Euro 2020 glory, losing to Italy on penalties, and they aim to build on their previous successes, having reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
England’s Euro 2024 Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders:
Kyle Walker, John Stones (Manchester City), Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Lewis Dunk (Brighton)
Midfielders:
Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
Forwards:
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), James Maddison (Tottenham), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
