"Grealish & Rashford were both lacking this season" - Ten Hag on England duo's exclusion from Euro 2024 squad
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reflected on United striker Marcus Rashford and Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish's absence in England's Euro 2024 squad. The Three Lions open their campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday (June 16).
Both players endured underwhelming seasons in club football with their respective sides. While Rashford, 26, netted just eight times in 43 games across competitions - a significant drop-off from his 30-goal 2022-23 campaign, Grealish registered just three goals and as many assists in 36 games across competitions.
That saw both Rashford and Grealish miss Gareth Southgate's 26-man final squad for Euro 2024, despite both men featuring at the last major tournament - the 2022 FIFA World Cup - and the previous Euros - where England lost to Italy on penalties in the final.
Explaining the duo's lackluster club season as the reason for the duo missing England's Euro 2024 squad, Ten Hag said (as per AFC AJAX):
"Grealish & Rashford were both lacking this season. And when you are lacking, you risk not getting picked for your country."
England are perched in Group C, with Denmark and Slovenia - who drew 1-1 earlier in the day - the two other sides.
How have Euro 2024 contenders England fared this year?
England enjoyed an unbeaten Euro 2024 qualification campaign, finishing ahead of defending champions Italy to top their group and qualify for the finals in Germany.
However, Gareth Southgate's side hasn't been in the best of form in 2024, winning only one of four games, all being friendlies. The Three Lions lost 1-0 to Brazil at Wembley in March, with Endrick scoring the only goal of the game. Three days later, they drew 2-2 with Belgium, with Ivan Toney and Jude Bellingham the scorers for Southgate's side.
Earlier this month, the Three Lions beat Bosnia 3-0, with Kane being among the scorers - as mentioned above - while Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the others.
In their final friendly before the ongoing Euros, though, Southgate's side slumped to a 1-0 loss, with Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson sinking the Three Lions at their own den.