Thomas Tuchel is set to give Marcus Rashford an England lifeline, according to a report.
The Three Lions are about to enter the final international break of the year and their last under interim manager Lee Carsley before Tuchel takes over in January ahead of World Cup qualifying.
Rashford has once again failed to make the squad, having last played for his country in March, when England lost against Brazil in a friendly at Wembley before he missed out on a place at Euro 2024.
But Tuchel is said to be a big fan of the Manchester United forward, and is reported by The Sun to have contacted Rashford’s camp to let him know he is a huge admirer.
That could lead to a recall as early as March in the first international break of next year, as long as Rashford keeps up his good current form at club level with United.
Marcus Rashford (pictured) has reportedly been handed an England lifeline by incoming manager Thomas Tuchel
The Manchester United forward has played just once for his country this year and missed out on a spot in the latest squad
Tuchel (pictured), however, is reported to have called Rashford’s camp to tell him he is ‘essential’ to his future plans
A source told The Sun: ‘Tuchel contacted Marcus and his representatives and told them he saw Marcus as an essential part of the England squad. He said he believed a big part of England’s failure to win Euro 2024 was not having Marcus as an option.
‘Other teams fear his abilities and Tuchel said he believed without Rashford, England didn’t offer a strong attacking threat on the left and that made them easier to play against as a lot of the ball came down the right.
‘Tuchel is a huge admirer of Marcus. It’s a great boost for him and another encouragement to try and get back to his best.’
This season, Rashford has scored four goals in 17 games for United, also picking up three assists along the way.
Just one of those goals have come in the Premier League, but United players are hopeful of a successful season following Ruben Amorim’s arrival on Monday.
He has been used on both flanks under both Erik ten Hag and interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, but his potential position in the side remains unclear under Amorim, who is likely to use his usual 3-4-3 system.
In terms of getting into the England squad again, he would face competition from the likes of Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish and Noni Madueke, who are all in the squad for the next fortnight’s games.
The likes of Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are guarantees, while players such as Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze remain on the fringes.
Tuchel could name Rashford in his first Three Lions squad early on next year after he takes charge in January
He is said to be of the opinion that England made a huge error leaving Rashford out of their Euro 2024 squad
It remains unclear how Rashford will fit into the system of incoming United boss Ruben Amorim
Tuchel is reported to be of the view that England got it wrong not including Rashford over the summer.
He has played just once for his country this year, in the game against Brazil, but is reported to be doing extra one-to-one fitness work in a bid to improve his form.
The 27-year-old will be involved in United’s game against Leicester on Sunday, which will be van Nistelrooy’s last game in charge before stepping aside for Amorim to take over.
In total, Rashford has 60 caps for England, finding the back of the net 17 times.
