NEW England boss Thomas Tuchel has handed Marcus Rashford an olive branch.
The German told the Manchester United forward that he wants him in his Three Lions squad — as long as he keeps his form up.
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Tuchel, who starts work in January, made contact with Rashford’s camp and confirmed he is a huge admirer of the striker.
A source revealed: “Tuchel contacted Marcus and his representatives and told them he saw Marcus as an essential part of the England squad.
“He said he believed a big part of England’s failure to win Euro 2024 was not having Marcus as an option.
“Other teams fear his abilities and Tuchel said he believed without Rashford, England didn’t offer a strong attacking threat on the left and that made them easier to play against as a lot of the ball came down the right.
“Tuchel is a huge admirer of Marcus. It’s a great boost for him and another encouragement to try and get back to his best.”
Rashford, 27, was left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad after scoring just eight times last season.
But the striker has already bagged four goals and three assists in a struggling United team this term.
And he is doing extra one-to-one training in an effort to regain his form and fitness.
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Rashford is likely to get the chance to impress Tuchel when United take on Leicester on Sunday.
His last appearance came from the bench in Thursday’s Europa League win over PAOK.
Southgate vs Tuchel records compared
THOMAS TUCHEL
Augsburg II 2007-2008
P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%
Mainz 05 2009-2014
P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%
Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017
P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%
Honours: DFB Pokal
Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020
P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%
Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2
Chelsea 2021-2022
P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%
Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup
Bayern Munich 2023-2024
P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%
Honours: Bundesliga
GARETH SOUTHGATE
Middlesbrough 2006-2009
P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%
England U21 2013-2016
P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%
Honours: Toulon tournament
England 2016-2024
P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%
Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024
Rashford has four goals in 17 games this season, with just one strike coming in the Premier League.
And he was left out of Lee Carsley’s final England squad for the upcoming Nations League games with Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Rashford has 17 goals in 60 caps for England after making his debut in 2016.
But he has played just once for his country this year, with his last appearance coming in March’s friendly defeat to Brazil.
Forgotten England stars could benefit from Tuchel appointment
WITH Thomas Tuchel announced as the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.
That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.
The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.
RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.
Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.
The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.
Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel.
