Marcus Rashford setback will benefit Erik ten Hag and Manchester United

There was a time when it would be unthinkable for Marcus Rashford not to be included in an England squad, but when he was once again not called up for the current set of fixtures no one batted an eye.

The Manchester United star missed a penalty in England's agonising Euro 2020 final defeat in the summer and hasn't been involved since. Though he missed the first five matches of the season after the loss to Italy due to being sidelined following shoulder surgery, he has now not been selected in Gareth Southgate's last three squads purely due to his nosediving form.

Rashford had been a near ever-present in the England set-up since earning his first cap in 2016 but has deservedly lost his place this year, with Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling all being picked ahead of him in attacking positions. Though it must be difficult to take, he can have no complaints.

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The 24-year-old has just put in his worst season since making his senior debut for United, registering his lowest ever goals tally with just five strikes to his name. But it wasn't just the lack of goals that was a problem, what was really concerning was his demeanour on the pitch. Rashford looked like a player completely devoid of confidence, not making the right runs, sloppy on the ball and his head constantly dropping after every mistake.

An example that really caught the ire of supporters came in the narrow FA Cup victory over Aston Villa, in which he didn't follow in a shot on goal which the goalkeeper then spilt and presented an easy chance if only he was there to take it. Rashford then lost his place