Marcus Rashford relishing chance to represent England at Old Trafford
Marcus Rashford relishes ‘highest honour’ of chance to represent England at Old Trafford… as Gareth Southgate weighs up starting him against North Macedonia
- Marcus Rashford will look to round off his season on a high at Old Trafford
- The forward is in line to start for England against North Macedonia tonight
- A source close to Rashford said the potential appearance is the ‘high honour’
Given his record at Old Trafford for Manchester United this season, Marcus Rashford has every reason to be confident of ending the most productive campaign of his career with another goal when he steps out on home soil for England against North Macedonia on Monday night.
Of Rashford’s 30 goals for United, 20 of them have been scored at Old Trafford – eclipsing the 19 Wayne Rooney scored there for the club in 2012.
When Rashford struck twice against Leicester in February, he also became the first United player to score in seven successive Premier League home games since Rooney in 2010.
No wonder Gareth Southgate is thinking of giving Rashford his first international start since he scored twice in the World Cup group win over Wales in November when England face the Macedonians in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
The 25-year-old has been in familiar territory training with his England teammates at United’s Carrington base, and Southgate will be hoping that playing at Old Trafford will bring out the best in Rashford.
Marcus Rashford will hope to end the season on a scoring high with England at Old Trafford
The forward (left) is in contention to start for the Three Lions against North Macedonia
Sources close to the Wythenshawe-born player told Mail Sport: ‘Marcus is proud to call Manchester home, so he sees representing the national team at Old Trafford as one of the highest honours there could be.
‘Marcus has had a great time training with the squad at St George’s Park this past week and bringing the national team to his home training ground at Carrington. He is buzzing to walk out at Old Trafford on Monday.’
Rashford was limited to a 30-minute run-out off the bench when England beat Malta on Friday night due to a hip injury.
But Southgate is hopeful that playing at Old Trafford after such an impressive season for United will be the ideal stage for him to replicate the improvement and confidence he has shown under Erik ten Hag.
‘I’ve had Marcus since he was in the Under-21s,’ said Southgate. ‘We’ve always had good communication, I know him as well as anybody is going to know him. He’s not always easy to read.
‘He loves playing for England, he’s proud to play for England and I’m sure an England game at Old Trafford will be a special moment for him.
‘The obvious thing he has improved is the goals. When he’s had chances, you expected him to score as the season had gone on.
‘Maybe in previous seasons, that was a little bit less of a certainty. With Erik, he has had to work a bit differently without the ball. There’s been a bit more onus on that as a team. The goal tally is big progress for him and something he will be pleased about.’
Gareth Southgate hopes Rashford’s home ground will help him repeat heroics for his country
Of Rashford’s 30 goals for United this season, 20 of them have been scored at Old Trafford
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