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Marcus Rashford: England 'much better' under Gareth Southgate than Roy Hodgson
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Published 02/10/2017 at 23:52 GMT+1
Marcus Rashford believes England are well placed for success as Gareth Southgate has brought a "much better" set-up and vision to the national team.
Marcus Rashford of England looks on during an England media session at St Georges Park on October 2, 2017
Image credit: Getty Images
It is hard to believe quite how much the teenage forward has crammed into 19 months as a first-team player, from winning the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup with Manchester United to representing his country.
Rashford went from his United debut to becoming England's youngest goalscoring debutant within 92 days - and that rise shows no signs of abating.
Still only 19, the forward is the kind of player who brings hope that the Three Lions can belatedly challenge for a trophy after floundering at recent tournaments.
Rashford was fast-tracked by Roy Hodgson into an England squad that were humbled at Euro 2016 and, with the wounds still raw, believes the country are now in a far better place under Southgate.
Rashford told a group of reporters ahead of England's penultimate World Cup qualifier at home to Slovenia on Thursday night:
"That's something that I would say is different to last time. Everyone is being themselves and we're starting to understand each other more.
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England's striker Marcus Rashford attends a press conference at St George's Park in Burton-on-Trent on October 2, 2017,
Image credit: Getty Images
"At internationals, you don't get much time together to understand each other's personalities and what they like to do outside.
"The more we understand each other, the better the results will be on the pitch.
"That was from the manager himself, that was one of the things he wanted to install. As players we've bought into it, and hopefully we can get the results."
England are currently on the brink of reaching their fifth successive major tournament, but performing on the major stage is much more of an issue than qualification.
Handling life at a major tournament has been problematic for England, but things are changing under Southgate's tutelage - according to Rashford at least.
Rashford's first clear World Cup memory was Frank Lampard's 'goal' against Germany in 2010 and four years ago he was on holiday with his brothers during the tournament.
A lot has changed since then and the pace of those alterations have only accelerated since his dream debut in February 2016.
"You just get to grips with it," Rashford said of the changes in his life. "You've just got to take it in your stride."
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