Harry Redknapp names Manchester United player who 'would scare him to death' to play against

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was one of the headline omissions from Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man England squad for Euro 2024 in Germany but ex-Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp feels the Red Devils star should have retained his place.

United trio Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobe Mainoo were all named with the squad set to be cut to 26 players before the tournament in Germany. Explaining his decision to leave Rashford out, Southgate revealed it was down to his belief that other players enjoyed better seasons.

He said: "You are talking about very good players who have been important in what we've done over a number of years. With Marcus, I just feel that other players in that area of the pitch had better seasons. It's as simple as that."

However, Redknapp has moved to defend Rashford amid his poor form in the past season. The ex-West Ham and Bournemouth midfielder believes Rashford’s England form has never been in question and feels he could still have provided a threat for the Three Lions this summer.

“As poor as Marcus Rashford has been with Manchester United this year, his England form has always been good, he’s always done well,” he told BetVictor “At the 2022 World Cup, he was our joint-leading scorer. When he's on his game, he can be a real player. I was a little bit surprised we didn't take him. I would still have included him in the Euros squad. Even if he's not starting, he can come off the bench. “He gives you that pace either wide or through the middle. On his day, with that pace, Rashford can be a real threat to the opposition. If I was playing against him, he'd scare me to death at times.”

Speaking ahead of the summer, Rashford revealed he plans to take some time out to rest after a tough season which still ended with United lifting the FA Cup at Wembley.

“It’s time to come off socials for a few weeks. I plan to rest and reset mentally after a challenging season individually and collectively,” he posted on X.

“Thanks to the fans that stood by me through a difficult period. To the ones that didn’t, just remember at United, we always stick together.”