Phil Foden - Marcus Rashford

[Colin C No.3]

I watched the Manchester derby highlights on MOTD.

Foden & Rashford both scored fantastic goals yesterday, Foden’s 11th league goal of the season, Rashford’s 6th.

Foden’s face was one of pure ‘boyish joy’ when he scored whereas Rashford appeared to simply have ‘cast off another shackle’ after his goal.

Granted one is playing in a much better team than the other but while Foden gives the impression he’s just happy playing football (albeit superbly well at a very high level) Rashford seems more relieved than overjoyed when things go well for him.

One plays with freedom, one appears to be carrying a heavy burden.

Just my observation of two very talented English footballers.

[keith79]

Forden is way above Marcus for me.

[Chris Black come back]

The Rashford goal was absolutely brutal. A thermonuclear weapon that went off and Ederson saw first when ball hit back of net.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I'm struggling to think if it's humanly possible to strike a ball better than Rashford did yesterday. I was a phenomenal strike, given that the ball was going across him. To combine the degree of power, cleanness of contact and accuracy is breathtaking.

[drfchound]

I reckon that the City keeper was stood too far to one side of the goal.
If he had been in the right place it would have been an easy save. 

[Padge_DRFC]

Foden is really good isn't he. No doubt he wasted by Southgate this summer. Either hugging the touchline or on the bench to accomodation Henderson and Phillips

[Chris Black come back]

I think Southgate gets far too bad a rap. But this summer he cannot go into the tournament with those two. They both took the money and it didn’t work out for them, and they quickly scurried around to try and make up game time before the summer. There are better, fitter and more in form options. It’s not easy fitting Rice, Bellingham and Foden in midfield optimally but he’s going to have to make this work.

[Padge_DRFC]

It's very easy if he's playing 4231. Foden Bellingham and Saka play as the 3 behind Kane. Rice can play with who ever. Phillips will probably still play if he does well with West Ham.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

It would be interesting if they swapped teams and then see the difference. I think without doubt, Rashford would be a better all round player in the city team under Guadiolas guidance. Conversely, I would bet Foden would be far more subdued and restricted in that Man U set up.

[selby]

Would Rashford get a game at Arsenal, Man City, or Liverpool?

[NickDRFC]

It's very easy if he's playing 4231. Foden Bellingham and Saka play as the 3 behind Kane. Rice can play with who ever. Phillips will probably still play if he does well with West Ham.

Simple as that for me, but you’ll no doubt get clamour from folk to shoehorn another attacker in and shove Bellingham back, ignoring the fact that he’s the best number 10 in the world right now.

Who plays alongside Rice is interesting. Phillips is the best choice if he gets some good game time but I’m not sure he will, TAA is a possibility, maybe even Stones although I think he’s needed at centre back. Dark horses could be Mainoo or, given how he’s been playing lately, Curtis Jones.

[Jonathan]

Would Rashford get a game at Arsenal, Man City, or Liverpool?

Maybe not City as they’re on a different level altogether, but I reckon he’d do alright at the other two. He’s a really good player, I’d love to see him leave his current club.

[sedwardsdrfc]

What the chances Southgate plays Rashford ahead of Foden?

England team is close to picking itself imo but Southgate has his favourites

[drfcsteve]

All the Man U fans I know say Rashford is lazy, can’t be bothered running or tracking back. On that basis alone he wouldn’t play in a Man City team under Pep.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

All the Man U fans I know say Rashford is lazy, can’t be bothered running or tracking back. On that basis alone he wouldn’t play in a Man City team under Pep.

He wouldn't play like that under Pep. Far better coach than Ten Hag.

[GazLaz]

Rashford isnt in the same post code as Foden when it comes to ability or mentality.

[MachoMadness]

Hard to say because Rashford has been playing in a relatively average side for years whereas Foden has been in the best club side in the world working for probably the best manager in the world every day. Even under Ten Hag Man U don't look like they have much of a plan, no player is going to flourish in that environment.

Rashford shouldn't be starting ahead of Foden, Bellingham or Saka though, surely.

[Colin C No.3]

Rashford isnt in the same post code as Foden when it comes to ability or mentality.

In your opinion.

[Campsall rover]

Rashford used to have a very good work ethic on the pitch.

It is quite obvious he isn’t happy and his focus on his football is no where near where it needs to be to be the player he is capable of being and was not so long ago.

Needs a fresh start at another club.
He is a fantastic talent, that goal for example against City was stunning.
All the problems he has are in his head. Get that unscrambled and he gives Southgate a selection headache.
As it stands does he even get in the squad for the Euros?

[dickos1]

I think he’ll play stones or Trent alongside rice in middle of the park
Shaw left back
Walker right back
Rice
Trent or stones
Foden
Bellingham
Saka
Kane

Only issue is centre halves

[Padge_DRFC]

I think he’ll play stones or Trent alongside rice in middle of the park
Shaw left back
Walker right back
Rice
Trent or stones
Foden
Bellingham
Saka
Kane

Only issue is centre halves

Exactly why he won't play Stones there he'll be CB with Maguire

[NickDRFC]

I think he’ll play stones or Trent alongside rice in middle of the park
Shaw left back
Walker right back
Rice
Trent or stones
Foden
Bellingham
Saka
Kane

Only issue is centre halves

Exactly why he won't play Stones there he'll be CB with Maguire

As long as Maguire is fit and plays a fair bit in the next few months I’d be OK with him starting. I don’t think any of the alternatives - Guehi, Colwill are probably the standout candidates - are experienced enough and at least old slabhead and Stones have a decent understanding.

[Chris Black come back]

You do wonder though that with those two and only Rice for cover, they are a bit exposed. They’ve been helped in past by playing two in front of them, but even if he wanted to I don’t think we’ve got a good enough partner for Rice there for that to be effective.

Probably best let’s be honest to forget about defence and just pile midfield and front line full of all the immense talent we have there.

[NickDRFC]

You do wonder though that with those two and only Rice for cover, they are a bit exposed. They’ve been helped in past by playing two in front of them, but even if he wanted to I don’t think we’ve got a good enough partner for Rice there for that to be effective.

Probably best let’s be honest to forget about defence and just pile midfield and front line full of all the immense talent we have there.

Rice won’t be the only cover, Southgate recognises our defensive deficiencies and will play someone alongside him.

There’s an article today on the Athletic from Shearer suggesting England should play Kane, Saka, Foden, Bellingham…and Watkins. I’m sure an element of it is clickbait but it’s a mentality that’s still rife among fans. I’m happy that Southgate is smart enough (or at least conservative enough) to recognise that we’re not going to win an international tournament by picking a fantasy football XI as opposed to the best team.

I just hope to god that team doesn’t include Jordan Henderson…

[NickDRFC]

I think he’ll play stones or Trent alongside rice in middle of the park
Shaw left back
Walker right back
Rice
Trent or stones
Foden
Bellingham
Saka
Kane

Only issue is centre halves

I think Pickford, Walker, Stones, Rice, Saka, Foden, Bellingham & Kane are locks. Luke Shaw would be if he was fit but he must have missed more than half of Man U’s games through injury so far this season.

[Colin C No.3]

England teams have been ‘blessed’ with decent midfield players over the years (off the cuff I’d say since the late 60’s early 70’s & wait to have my ‘face rubbed in it’) but have then either struggled with decent front men, defenders, keepers & sometimes all three together.

We now have a world class striker in Kane for the current crop of excellent midfielders to ‘play off’.

As has been said already, Bellingham is ‘a born’ number 10 in the same class as Zidane.

We have a handful of excellent wing backs to choose from & a couple of decent keepers.

If we don’t win a major tournament with this generation of players someone needs flogging.

[GazLaz]

England teams have been ‘blessed’ with decent midfield players over the years (off the cuff I’d say since the late 60’s early 70’s & wait to have my ‘face rubbed in it’) but have then either struggled with decent front men, defenders, keepers & sometimes all three together.

We now have a world class striker in Kane for the current crop of excellent midfielders to ‘play off’.

As has been said already, Bellingham is ‘a born’ number 10 in the same class as Zidane.

We have a handful of excellent wing backs to choose from & a couple of decent keepers.

If we don’t win a major tournament with this generation of players someone needs flogging.

In your opinion.

[Fal]

Rashford looks like he has just had to sit through another Ro Shaun performance!

[Colin C No.3]

England teams have been ‘blessed’ with decent midfield players over the years (off the cuff I’d say since the late 60’s early 70’s & wait to have my ‘face rubbed in it’) but have then either struggled with decent front men, defenders, keepers & sometimes all three together.

We now have a world class striker in Kane for the current crop of excellent midfielders to ‘play off’.

As has been said already, Bellingham is ‘a born’ number 10 in the same class as Zidane.

We have a handful of excellent wing backs to choose from & a couple of decent keepers.

If we don’t win a major tournament with this generation of players someone needs flogging.

In your opinion.

Oh how I laughed.