Football
Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC 7y

Rashford proof of England producing quality at youth level - Southgate

Gareth Southgate claims Manchester United teenager Marcus Rashford offers proof that England are now producing young players of the quality of world champions Germany.

Rashford, 19, is likely to win his seventh senior England cap in Wednesday's friendly against the Germans in Dortmund after making a huge impression during his first year as a professional with United.

The Manchester-born youngster has scored 15 goals in 55 appearances for United since scoring twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland in February 2016, and his form in the final months of last season earned him a place in England's Euro 2016 squad.

With Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge missing due to injury and Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck overlooked by Southgate for this squad, Rashford is expected to figure against Germany.

And Southgate admits that the young forward is an exciting prospect who embodies the new wave of English talent now emerging.

"If you look at the squad, we've got young players coming through, not only in this group, but further down," Southgate said.

"I know there has been a lot of talk about Germany and their system, but I think ours is starting to produce a different type of player.

"I thought Marcus was excellent in the game against Chelsea in the game last week. He makes powerful runs in behind defenders and you can ask Gary Cahill how much of a problem that is.

"And a lot of that game, Marcus had to play on his own and carry the fight.

"I liked his mentality when we had him for the 10 days with the under-21s. His mentality was very mature, very humble.

"He wants to learn, wants to improve, has a good view on the game and for a young player I think he has intelligent input when you ask him tactical things.

"He is not afraid to voice that, even among older players.

"We like him. He's not the finished article, obviously. There is still plenty for him to learn but he's an exciting talent and I think we've got a few exciting young talents."

Despite Rashford's opportunities at United being limited this season due to the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Rashford has started 19 games and been substitute a further 18 times - Southgate believes that he is progressing at the right pace under Jose Mourinho.

"To be fair, I think he's played a fair amount this year," Southgate said. "He's the youngest in our group by far.

"No one else in his year group is playing Premier League football. And of course he's getting European football as well and cup football.

"He's had a little period where he's not been in the team, but if we look at it at the end of the season, he will have had a year where he has developed a lot and learnt quite a lot.

"But I don't think there's a perfect pathway. Each individual is different."

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