Paul Merson insists he was 'really shocked' by that Gareth Southgate left Marcus Rashford from his provisional English team for Euro 2024.
The Manchester United forward has had a disappointing season, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in 33 Premier League appearances.
Despite his problems at club level, Rashford has played regularly for England this season, but that's what he was was not included in the preliminary 33-man squad ahead of this summer's European Championship.
“I think it's big news,” said ex-England and Arsenal winger Merson Air sports. '60 caps, played tournaments, scored big goals, you can rely on him.
'Gareth usually picks players if he likes them, even if they are out of form or even if they are not in the team.
'I'm really shocked, I'm really shocked. I know he hasn't been good lately, but tournament football is so different.
'I would have taken it 100%. I don't know if it has anything to do with this [gestures towards his head]I don't know if Gareth has spoken to him, I don't know what's going on in his life.
'But as a player he has experience in tournament football, which is so different from everything else. He's worn a lot of hats there.”
Rashford's form this season has not been helped by more than one injury setback, although he is likely to battle for it This weekend's FA Cup final after making cameo appearances in United's last two league games.
The 26-year-old earned his 60th England cap during the last international break but now faces a battle to revive his international career amid competition from a host of top rivals.
England's attackers for Euro 2024 include Premier League player of the year Phil Foden, Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.
West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, Man City's Jack Grealish and Newcastle's Anthony Gordon were also selected in England's final training camp before the European Championship.
Discussing England's chances at Euro 2024, Three Lions boss Southgate said: 'There is a lot of tournament experience now, even among our younger players.
'We are very happy with where the team is. But everything starts from scratch. It doesn't matter what we've done in the past.'
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MORE : Gareth Southgate explains Marcus Rashford's criticism of England's Euro 2024 campaign
MORE : Marcus Rashford was left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024
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