Jermaine Jenas believes Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford should start for England at the FIFA World Cup

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United have seen a rise in form which has seen the team be just one point off the top four with a game in hand.

It is pretty impressive considering that the season started off in the worst possible manner for the team with two straight losses to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

One of the key factors behind the team’s rise in form has been the way forward Marcus Rashford has been performing for the team with impressive performances throughout the campaign.

He was again at his level best against West Ham United and scored the decisive goal which got all three points for the team. The goal also marked his 100th goal for Manchester United, an impressive feat not achieved by many at the Theatre of Dreams.

His performances are being recognised by fans and pundits with former Tottenham Hotspur star Jermaine Jenas while speaking to BBC Sport (h/t Manchester Evening News) believes that Rashford should be in Gareth Southgate’s plans for the FIFA World Cup in November.

“Based on his performance, Rashford is more than just a player who 100% has to be in the Three Lions squad. Instead, after watching him at Old Trafford on Sunday, England boss Gareth Southgate will be thinking Rashford might have to start their first game.”

Rashford has been in instrumental form since the season started and is in proper contention to be part of Gareth Southgate’s official squad for the FIFA World Cup.

With the current form that he is in, he should definitely be around the first team and given some minutes. After a poor showing last season, Rashford looks revitalised and shows glimpses of the talent and ability that made him a household name in the first place.

The official squad list will be released just days prior to the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup and with two league games set to happen before the season comes to a halt, Rashford has to continue his fine form and stack a claim in front of Gareth Southgate.

The former Middlesbrough manager was also present to witness his performance against West Ham. Rashford has largely played down the flanks whenever he has represented the Three Lions.

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It remains to be seen if Southgate will pay heed to Jenas’ advice – although it seems unlikely with Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane the country’s captain and main man up front. A two-man strike partnership, on the other hand, will be an option but it’s unlikely Southgate deviates from his tried and tested set-up.