Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford have been named in the starting line-up for England’s penultimate Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta this evening. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
The two players were the only English Reds to get the call-up this time around, with Gareth Southgate overlooking Mason Mount for the second consecutive time since he returned from injury, which surprised fans given how much the manager has utilised Mount in recent years.
With the Three Lions already qualified for next year’s tournament, tonight’s game, as well as Monday’s, will just be to cement their place atop Group C and build confidence across the squad – something Maguire and Rashford will benefit from.
Tonight's #ThreeLions! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/q2N5pm3KbF
— England (@England) November 17, 2023
How the two Reds fare
For Rashford, he is undergoing a lacklustre start to the term in which he’s found the net just once in 16 appearances. It comes after his most prolific season to date too, after he notched a 30-goal campaign for the first time in his career and was named the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year in 2022/2023.
Meanwhile, Maguire is overseeing his own spirited resurgence following a year spent mostly on the bench. Injuries to United’s backline have led to the 30-year-old being granted a starting role, and he’s taken the opportunity with both hands by rewarding the manager with some outstanding performances.
He’s also a mainstay in Southgate’s squad, so is set to feature for the Three Lions when they look to win the competition in Germany next summer.
