England coach Gareth Southgate says Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was omitted from the country’s Euro 2024 provisional squad because “other players had better seasons than him”.

Rashford, who has scored eight goals in 42 matches for United this season, was one of two major omissions from the 33-player Three Lions squad preparing for Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, alongside former vice-captain Jordan Henderson.

Rashford had previously been named in every single England major tournament squad under Southgate but will now watch his country compete for the Euro 2024 title at home.

Henderson, former Liverpool captain, joined Saudi Arabia club Al Ettifaq last summer and despite keeping his place in the Three Lions team, he moved to Ajax in the January transfer window.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the coach said: “These are of course difficult calls.

“You are talking about very good players who have been important in what we’ve done over a number of years.

“With Marcus, I just feel that other players in that area of the pitch had better seasons. It’s as simple as that.”

On Henderson, Southgate said: “Hendo has given himself every chance.

“The determining factor is the injury he picked up at the last camp (in March). He has missed five weeks and just hasn’t been able to get to the intensity in the game since then.

“He’s a fantastic professional; it was a difficult call to make as he’s been so important and supportive in my time.

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“All the boys I have spoken to: Ben (Chilwell), Marcus and Jordan – who were all with us last time – were all incredibly professional and considering the disappointment, they dealt with it well.”

Asked if his side are capable of going one step further, the England manager said: “I’d be an idiot if I said no, but if I said yes, that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of work ahead of us.

“There’s no doubt what is possible. The team has been closed already. They know what is possible, they know what they’ve won at club level and what that’s taken.

“And equally, you can see cup football, which we’re going into, we know you have to navigate game by game and qualify from the group.

“But in knockout football, the Champions League showed that Man City and Arsenal were in the best three teams this year and didn’t get to where they wanted to, as it’s one moment and fine margins.

“That is our world. You have to deliver on those moments. But are we one of those teams who can win? Of course, absolutely.”

Rashford reacted to his England snub on social media, writing on his Instagram story: “Wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the up and coming tournament.”

See England’s 33-player provisional squad below:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley)

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Jude Bellingham, (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

The Star