March 23, (THEWILL) – Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford could equal a peculiar England record during the upcoming international break. The 26-year-old forward has been off the bench a staggering 33 times for the Three Lions, just two shy of Jermain Defoe’s record of 35 substitute appearances.
Gareth Southgate’s men face Brazil in a high-profile friendly at Wembley on Friday, before hosting Belgium three days later. Should Rashford be named among the substitutes for both matches and be introduced from the bench, he will draw level with former striker Defoe’s long-standing record.
While an unusual milestone, it underlines Rashford’s importance to the England setup over many years. Since debuting as a teenager in 2016, he has amassed 17 goals across 55 caps, cementing his status as a key attacking threat alongside captain Harry Kane. His brace at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar highlighted his pedigree on the biggest stage.
Increased competition for places may see Rashford start more games on the bench in future. Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and a plethora of talented wingers will keep him on his toes. Nevertheless, matching Defoe’s distinctive record would represent another memorable landmark in Rashford’s blossoming international career.
The Wythenshawe-born star will hope any potential substitute outings prove decisive in securing victories over Brazil and Belgium as England finalise preparations for Euro 2024.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
