Marcus Rashford’s Impressive Debut Leads Promising England Win over Australia

Whether it’s as dramatic as a gamble or as low-key as a tweak, football managers understandably take satisfaction when a call comes off.

England manager Roy Hodgson may hope the full return on his decision to bring untested 18-year-old Marcus Rashford into the senior fold is still to come this summer. In the meantime, he was more than pleased with the Manchester United striker’s impressive scoring debut in an overall promising 2-1 pre-UEFA Euro 2016 friendly win over Australia.

“I’m delighted for Marcus and delighted that he’s received such praise,” Hodgson said of a lively first appearance, per the Football Association’s website. “I’m also delighted that my decision to thrust him into the side was not proved to be ridiculous.”

Hodgson’s announcement of a preliminary squad of 26—with additional standby selections—rather than a cemented 23 gives him leeway in regards to the precocious Rashford. If it became clear this level of play was a tad too much for a player with only 18 club appearances to his name, there would be little harm in wishing him a nice summer and chalking it up as a good experience.

???? Roy Hodgson says Marcus Rashford is very much in contention for a place in the #ThreeLions’ #EURO2016 squad. https://t.co/sAd8zl6TAt

— England (@England) May 16, 2016

Discussing Rashford’s selection at the squad announcement earlier in May (see above), Hodgson certainly hedged his bets:

There’s no reason, if he does exceptionally well, why he couldn’t knock someone off their perch. But, I must make it clear that would be harder than some people would expect, because people who’ve played over the last two years have done a very good job for us in helping us qualify, they’re not going to be easy to knock off their perch.

It would be pushing it to describe Rashford as having done “exceptionally well” against Australia. It was, though, a display more than commensurate for the opposition and the occasion. It’s one that will have given Hodgson something to think about, regardless of whether Rashford’s fellow forward Daniel Sturridge recovers from his calf problem.

Initially paired in a front two with Raheem Sterling and primarily designated areas to the left, Rashford was often directed toward the touchline because of England’s passing routes. There his pace threatened to catch the Socceroos …

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