‘Slap in the face’ - Chris Sutton delivers brutal verdict on major Newcastle United and Man Utd decision

Chris Sutton believes that Gareth Southgate’s decision to start Anthony Gordon against Brazil is a ‘slap in the face’ for Marcus Rashford as he was forced to watch the game from the sidelines. Rashford would eventually be introduced to proceedings in Gordon’s place 15 minutes from time, but he couldn’t help the Three Lions from conceding and falling to defeat.

Rashford and Gordon will likely battle it out between now and the end of the season to be England’s starting left-winger at Euro 2024 and the pair will both hope to impress against Belgium at Wembley this evening if given the chance. Speaking about Gordon and Rashford on BBC Radio Five Live, Sutton said: “I thought Gordon had a decent game and I just wonder if Gareth would possibly stick with him. There’s a bit of a slap in the face for Marcus Rashford, I think, that Anthony Gordon started in front of him, but he didn’t do himself any harm.”

At club level, Gordon has scored ten goals and assisted a further seven for the Magpies, whilst Rashford has eight goals and six assists so far this campaign for Manchester United. Southgate, meanwhile, has a big decision to make on who starts for the Three Lions against Belgium later tonight.

England will likely name a different starting side to the one that featured against Brazil with Ivan Toney, who is expected to lead the line tonight, just one of the changes anticipated. Rashford’s club teammate, Kobbie Mainoo, made his debut from the bench on Saturday and could start this evening.