Rio Ferdinand questions Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop ‘red hot’ England star Marcus Rashford at World Cup

ByTNT Sports

Published 04/12/2022 at 18:21 GMT

Marcus Rashford has played himself in to form for England at the World Cup in Qatar. The Manchester United forward was a substitute for England’s opening two matches against Iran and USA, before getting a start against Wales and repaying Gareth Southgate with a brace. He has, however, been dropped for the last-16 clash with Senegal, and Rio Ferdinand has questioned that decision.

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Rio Ferdinand has questioned England boss Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop Marcus Rashford for the World Cup last-16 tie with Senegal.

Rashford has played his way into form at the World Cup in Qatar, scoring three goals as Southgate’s Three Lions progressed from Group B unbeaten.

Rashford was a substitute in England’s opening two games – against Iran and USA – scoring after coming off the bench in the 6-2 win against Carlos Queiroz’s side.

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The Manchester United man was handed a first start of the tournament against Wales, and responded with a brace that led England to the top of their group.

However, for the last-16 encounter with Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium, Southgate has elected to put Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka either side of Harry Kane.

And that decision has baffled Ferdinand.

"Imagine hitting red hot form at a World Cup and then having to sit down on the bench,” Ferdinand said on the BBC.

“It would blow my head off.”

However, the former Manchester United and England defender did caveat that statement by adding that Southgate had got the lion’s share of his calls correct as England boss.

“Gareth Southgate has got a lot of his decisions right. If it comes off we'll all be happy."

Should England beat Senegal then awaiting them in the quarter-finals will be defending champions France, who beat Poland 3-1 in their last-16 tie.

Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace after Olivier Giroud had opened the scoring for Didier Deschamps’ side. Robert Lewandowski scored a late penalty as Czesław Michniewicz's side bowed out.

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