Rashford should go to Euro 2016 instead of Sturridge, says former England international… Stats suggest he’s right

Posted by

Stop laughing Daniel… Our calculator – at the second attempt, after a mini-meltdown – says Rashford is ahead of you!

English wonderkid Marcos Rashford has been an instant hit in the Manchester United first team.

When injuries to Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial left Louis van Gaal with a striking crisis, 18-year-old Rashford stepped up to the plate and scored four goals in his first two games to spark victories over FC Midtjylland and Arsenal.

Rashford then went five games without a goal, before netting the winner in the Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium on March 20.

Making his 11th senior appearance – all of which have come as a starter – Rashford scored his sixth United goal last night as the Red Devils booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at the expense of West Ham.

Six goals in 11 matches gives Rashford a 55% strike rate, which betters fellow United forwards Martial (31% – 13 in 42 club games in all comps this season) and Rooney (42% – 14 in 33).

He has certainly become a very important member of the United squad, but is he worthy of a place in England’s Euro 2016 party?

Former Three Lions right-back Danny Mills seems to think Rashford could shine if given the chance at this summer’s championship.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, Mills said: “He hasn’t got that much less international experience than Jamie Vardy – Michael Owen didn’t do too badly when he was inexperienced at the 1998 World Cup.

“He’s in great form. Why not take him as a substitute over the likes of Daniel Sturridge?”

Liverpool star Sturridge – who has missed most of this season through injury, although he is now fit – has scored eight times in 17 games for the Reds this season, giving him a strike-rate of 47%.

The only England hopefuls with strike-rates better than Sturridge’s are Tottenham Hotspur spearhead Harry Kane (56% – 25 in 45), Leicester City hero Vardy (60% – 21 in 35) and, of course, young Mr Rashford!

SEE ALSO: Premier League’s top 10 MVGs revealed by interesting formula: Kane 3rd, above Chelsea & Arsenal men

More Stories Anthony Martial Daniel Sturridge Danny Mills Harry Kane Jamie Vardy Michael Owen Wayne Rooney