Southgate explains the 'simple' reason why he left Rashford out of England squad

Gareth Southgate has claimed that Marcus Rashford's omission from his EURO 2024 England squad was simply down to form.

The Manchester United forward has paid the price for an underwhelming season at Old Trafford which yielded only seven goals in 33 league appearances.

Rashford has also struggled with injury and faced heavy criticism from the United fanbase.

Southgate, who has handed the 26-year-old 57 of his 60 international caps, revealed that the decision was a tough one but insisted Rashford's omission was solely down to his performances on the pitch.

'These are of course difficult calls,' The England manager said. 'We're talking about players who are very good and who have been an important part of what we've done over a number of years.

'With Marcus I just feel that players in that area of the pitch have had better seasons, it's as simple as that.'

Southgate's provisional 33-man squad included 12 forwards, many of whom are capable of playing in the left-wing position he typically occupies.

Newcastle's Anthony Gordon has enjoyed a stunning campaign at St James' Park and registered 21 goal contributions in the Premier League. Alongside Manchester City's Jack Grealish - who has had a frustrating campaign himself - Southgate has two proven options on that flank.

Meanwhile, Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen and Phil Foden are all players who nominally play in other positions but can have shown themselves capable of deputising on the left.

Rashford has scored 17 goals in his 60 caps for the Three Lions and proved to be an exceptional impact substitute during the 2022 World Cup. He scored three goals in five appearances at the tournament including a stunning free-kick in England's final group game against Wales.

The forward was also part of the last England squad in March as the team suffered a 1-0 defeat by Brazil before rescuing a 2-2 draw against Belgium. However, the Reds Devils star played only 15 minutes of the first game before sitting out the entirety of the second.

The other notable omission from Southgate's squad was former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

The 33-year-old has been a regular inclusion in the England set-up for over a decade, though questions over his Three Lions future will now be raised as Southgate has to looked to alternative options.

It comes after Henderson's controversial move to Al-Ettifaq last summer, in a move that lasted just five months, before the former Liverpool skipper moved to Ajax in January. The move to the Dutch giants was seen to boost his hopes of making the Euro 2024 squad.

His former Liverpool team-mate Jones is set to benefit from Henderson's exclusion, with the midfielder appearing to be on the verge of winning his first senior cap.