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.
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"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.
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.
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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 out—and he did increasingly get the better of them—only to be crowded out by whichever defenders were on hand.
It was in the channels where Rashford was most effective, reiterating so many of the qualities frequently witnessed since his sensational late-February breakthrough.
His third-minute goal was among the moments that spoke to his intelligent positioning.
First, he anticipated Ryan Bertrand's pass would go beyond Sterling. Then he moved the ball quickly forward to his relocated partner. After hanging back slightly, Sterling's cross, which was not aimed at Rashford, dropped kindly for him to volley for a historic goal.
Just over 10 minutes later, he raced forward to take a Sterling pass on the break. Though it got stuck under his feet as he tried to cut inside, the initial burst into space again highlighted the danger posed by his smart accelerations. Moved out wide in the second half, a jinking run into the right channel almost created another shooting opportunity.
The diamond 4-4-2 of the first half was altered to England's other go-to formation, the 4-3-3, for the second 45 minutes. Rashford's placement on the wing came about as "Wayne Rooney came on to play centre forward," and Hodgson also wanted "to see if he can be an interesting alternative for us there."
"I got the answers I wanted," Hodgson added.
England faced tougher tests than the willing but less motivated Australians, but Rashford's own willingness to compete for the ball in different areas—such as his off-ball role during Rooney's goal—bodes well.
As much as Hodgson would like it to, tournament football does not always go to a set plan. Capable and adaptable players like his latest, youthful recruit make it easier to adjust to unpredictable circumstances.
Hodgson's dalliance with the unexpected has not been completely quenched by his inclusion of Rashford.
His introduction of England's other scorer in Rooney—not including the unfortunate substitute Eric Dier who headed a late own goal—at the front of his attack instead of a supporting role was a reminder of the faith his manager retains in him.
Although in large part a matter of convenience—Sturridge and Jamie Vardy were absent, Harry Kane rested—Rooney's fine touch and blistering shot for his goal showed he should not be completely discounted from use as a front man.
Also pleasingly reassuring for the England manager was John Stones bucking the trend of his recent form for club and country.
Suspect concentration undermined the Everton man's effort in Sunday's 2-1 win over an admittedly more beguiling Turkey attack. After a similar iffy start at the Stadium of Light, Stones began showing that vital centre-back attribute of awareness is not beyond him.
He was on hand to clear his line several times thereafter, the greater focus undoubtedly strengthening his reading of proceedings. Also notably impressive in defence was Bertrand, who chose his runs forward well and covered diligently.
There was more to like elsewhere. But there is also concern in the midfield's timid engagement of Australia during a strong first-half spell for the visitors. Their struggle to win possession, or at least slow their opponents' progress, resulted in some of the defence's more testing and dishevelled moments. Yet things improved after the interval with the formation switch and Danny Drinkwater's move into defensive midfield proper.
These are areas Hodgson will look to address ahead of Thursday's game against Portugal. By then, he will have confirmed his final squad for the European Championships, and the job will transition more from a matter of individual personnel decisions to collective strategic ones.
Hodgson may yet opt to leave Friday's man-of-the-match Rashford at home so he can include a slightly more experienced campaigner in his squad. But given he has dealt with just about every challenge in his fledgling career, taking the teenager to France feels a worthy punt.
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