Rio Ferdinand questions Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop ‘red hot’ England star Marcus Rashford at World Cup

Rio Ferdinand has questioned England boss Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop Marcus Rashford for the World Cup last-16 tie with Senegal.

Rashford has played his way into form at the World Cup in Qatar, scoring three goals as Southgate’s Three Lions progressed from Group B unbeaten.

The Manchester United man was handed a first start of the tournament against Wales, and responded with a brace that led England to the top of their group.

And that decision has baffled Ferdinand.

“Imagine hitting red hot form at a World Cup and then having to sit down on the bench,” Ferdinand said on the BBC.

“It would blow my head off.”

However, the former Manchester United and England defender did caveat that statement by adding that Southgate had got the lion’s share of his calls correct as England boss.

“Gareth Southgate has got a lot of his decisions right. If it comes off we’ll all be happy.”

Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace after Olivier Giroud had opened the scoring for Didier Deschamps’ side. Robert Lewandowski scored a late penalty as Czesław Michniewicz’s side bowed out.

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