England manager Gareth Southgate wants Manchester United star Marcus Rashford to show what playing for his country means to him when the Three Lions take on North Macedonia at Old Trafford this evening.
Rashford, who plundered 30 goals for United in all competitions this season, stepped off the bench during the second half of England's 4-0 win over Malta on Friday night to make his first appearance in a qualifier since November 2019. He pulled out of the last Three Lions squad back in March because of an injury.
That raised questions about the United academy graduate's attitude towards playing for his country. However, Southgate, who could hand Rashford a start on home soil this evening, insists that the 25-year-old is fully committed to playing for England.
Southgate, speaking at a press conference on Sunday, said: "I know him as well as anybody is going to know him. He's not always easy to read.
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"He does love playing for England, he's very proud to play for England and I'm sure an England game at Old Trafford will be a special moment for him."
Following the appointment of Erik ten Hag at United last year, not many players at Old Trafford benefitted as much as Rashford did. The Dutchman resurrected the winger's career and Southgate is keen to reward him for that against North Macedonia.
"When he has had chances this season that you expect him to score as the season has gone on," Southgate continued. "Maybe in previous seasons that was a little bit less of a certainty.
"In working with Erik Ten Hag, he has had to work a bit differently without the ball. There's been a bit more onus on that as a team. I would say the goal tally is big progress for him and something he will be pleased about."
Rashford's cameo appearance against Malta three days ago marked his 52nd England cap, but 30 of those have been earned as a substitute. He has netted just two goals when coming off the bench in England colours, compared to the impressive tally of 13 goals that he has plundered in 22 starts.
"I hadn't picked up on that to be fair," Southgate added. "I always think he's a good player as a sub and his mentality is always good when he comes on.
"But nobody wants to be seen as a good sub. You want to start the games and he would be no different in that for sure."
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