There was no shame in England’s goalless draw with Croatia last week. After all, it was only a few months previously that Gareth Southgate’s side had lost to them in the semi finals of the World Cup. Croatia, in the midst of a golden generation, boast a number of world stars and possibly even the next Ballon d’Or winner, Luka Modric.
It could have been so much for the Three Lions, though, had Marcus Rashford tucked away one of the two golden opportunities he was presented with in the second half. A win away to Croatia would have put England in a good position in their UEFA Nations League group ahead of Monday’s trip to Seville to face Spain, who are threatening to run away with things at the top of the standings.
They were bad misses, the sort of misses an elite player accustomed to playing at the top of the game shouldn’t make. And yet there was little talk of Rashford’s sitters after the game. Highlight shows, for some reason, skirted over them, only fleetingly mentioning them in the post-match analysis. In an otherwise insipid encounter, they were the pivotal moments.
...when he came on the scene I thought he was the real deal but he seems to have leveled out."
🗣️ Vinnie Jones is not impressed with Marcus Rashford!
Do you think Rashford is good enough for England right now? 🤔
Maybe it was down to the unique circumstances of the game in Rijeka, played in front of an empty stadium following a ban meted out to Croatia by UEFA, that Rashford’s misses weren’t discussed much, but whatever the reason, whether it’s a subconscious reaction to protect a young player, it doesn’t actually benefit the England and Manchester United striker.
Rashford is at the stage of his career when he needs to be taking the next step. It’s two and a half years since the forward made his debut for Manchester United as one of the most exciting teenagers in the European game. He has developed in the time since, and it’s true that he should be should patience, but now 20 Rashford must find more of a cutting edge if he is to one day fulfil his potential.
Some argue that Rashford’s development has stalled under Jose Mourinho, that he should seek a move away from Old Trafford. Those arguments don’t really wash when you consider how frequently he has been used by Manchester United over the past three seasons, but the point can certainly be made that Rashford should be making more of a difference more often.
Some criticism might do him good. This isn’t to say that Rashford should be lambasted, made into a hate figure after his misses against Croatia, but some public scrutiny would surely push him even further to improve upon and develop his weaknesses.
