Paul Parker reckons Gareth Southgate should snub the Manchester United trio of Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw when picking his England squad for Euro 2024 this summer.
Parker, a former Red Devils and Three Lions star himself, does not think the three men have done enough to earn a call-up, while he also reckons Harry Maguire should not be in the team ahead of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
The 60-year-old feels fitness has cost Shaw, while Rashford’s form has been too poor and Mainoo is not the best option in central midfield.
‘It would be madness for Gareth Southgate to take Luke Shaw,’ Parker told MyBettingSites.co.uk. ‘He’s played no football. He’s barely played over the last five years. He starts blocking people and pulling people when the game isn’t going his way because he doesn’t do the hard work.
‘You can’t take Luke Shaw. [Chelsea’s Ben] Chilwell has hardly played either. You don’t know if he’s going to stay fit.
‘But you may find that if they are picked for England they’ll fight through the pain knowing the rewards if they win.”
‘Rashford can’t go either. He hasn’t done enough. No way can he go. He can’t. If Southgate sticks by his word when he took over he should be picking players on form. You can’t take Rashford.’
‘Kobbie? I don’t think England can take him. There are players that have done better. Since he made his debut for England he’s struggled a bit so picking him means he won’t be starting and you’re taking him away for a month when he probably needs a break.
‘It could be better for him to have some down time and be with his mates rather than walking around a hotel.’
Parker does reckon Maguire will go to the Euros and will play, although he would prefer to see Guehi on the left side of central defence.
‘Southgate will pick Maguire even though Marc Guehi is a better left-sided centre half,’ said the former full-back. ‘He’s only playing at United because Martinez is out injured.’
