The Football Association will insist Manchester United make Marcus Rashford available for England Under-21s at next summer’s European Championship.
Rashford has made five appearances for the senior side since breaking into the United first team in February of last year, but has played just one game for the U21s.
However, The Times report that the FA ‘are determined’ to ensure that Rashford is part of the U21s squad for the tournament in Poland next summer.
The 18-year-old was a key fixture in the United side last season under Louis van Gaal, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances.
He has found game time slightly more difficult to come by under Jose Mourinho, but has still played ten games, scoring four goals in the process.
Rashford was called up for Gareth Southgate’s first England squad after missing out under Sam Allardyce but, ‘irrespective of his development __with the senior side this season,’ the FA are adamant that he will feature for the U21s in Poland.
Key figures at the FA believe England’s struggles at major tournaments is down to a lack of mental strength, and that ‘giving the younger players more exposure to tournament football will help to address that weakness’.
Matt Hughes reports that United ‘may object’ to releasing Rashford for the summer, particularly considering the forward travelled __with the senior side to Euro 2016.
Rashford, on the other hand, is considered to be ‘open to the prospect’ of featuring for the development side.