Roy Keane has insisted Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford ought to be starting games for England as an alternative of Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.
Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona from United, was handed a start for England within the World Cup qualifying match against Serbia on Thursday.
But Rashford faces a battle with Gordon to cement himself within the England XI regularly ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Gordon missed the 2-0 win over Serbia with injury but Keane says Rashford should start over the Newcastle star when each players are fit.
‘If you happen to’re comparing the 2 of them, Rashford and Gordon at their best, I’m going for Rashford,’ Keane told ITV.
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‘He (Rashford) can still frustrate you, after all, but he’s a threat and when he’s on top form he’s a handful. You wouldn’t wish to face him.’
In his half-time evaluation of Rashford’s performance, Keane added: ‘He’s been busy [against Serbia], he’s been vigorous, he’s made a few runs but he’s probably somewhat disillusioned together with his end product because he’s in great form and doing rather well at Barcelona.
‘His movement off the ball… He looks confident. Nice link up play on the left-hand side [with Nico O’Reilly]. He’s been a threat. But at the top of it, you would like a bit more.’
Rashford has shined for Barcelona since joining the La Liga side on loan, conjuring up six goals and nine assists across his opening 16 games.
Gordon, meanwhile, has scored 4 goals and provided an assist in 13 appearances for Newcastle this season.
Will Rashford return to Man Utd after Barcelona loan?
Last month, Rashford told United that he wants to increase his stay at Barcelona beyond the present season.
Barcelona have the choice to make the loan move everlasting next summer for £28m.
Asked if he desires to stay at Barcelona, Rashford told ESPN: ‘Oh yeah, needless to say.
‘I’m having fun with this football club and I believe for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one in all the important thing clubs within the history of the sport. For a player is an honour.’
Meanwhile, former United striker Louis Saha has dismissed the notion that £28m is a bargain price for Barcelona to sign Rashford when considering his previous struggles at Old Trafford.
‘I believe Marcus Rashford does provide a little bit of worry,’ Saha said. ‘What happened to him at United?
‘It’s not a bargain due to what he went through in a extremely tough moment. He didn’t play well for 2 years. He had a whole lot of issues.’
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