The first England squad for Euro 2024 has been revealed and a few notable names have not been included in the provisional list of players, namely Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.
Having had a bit of an off-season at club level as well as struggling with a number of injury issues, the 26-year-old has already been in and out of Erik ten Hag‘s team over recent weeks and months.
As a result, he has seemingly been left out of Gareth Southgate‘s first round of picks for the Euros, though the final selection for the tournament will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Despite being go-to players under the Three Lions boss in past tournaments, he and former Liverpool star Jordan Henderson look set to miss out on a summer where England are considered one of the favourites for a change, along with former Manchester City man Raheem Sterling too.
🚨 Marcus Rashford not part of initial England squad for Euro 2024. 26yo Manchester United attacker made strong impact at World Cup + selected for last camp but expected to miss out of provisional group Gareth Southgate names @TheAthleticFC#EURO2024#MUFChttps://t.co/pVHAuNX7it
Reacting to the news, ex-pro turned pundit Paul Merson admitted he was “shocked” by the decision, especially with Rashford potentially on the verge of picking up an FA Cup this weekend, though the bookies are favouring Man City, who have once again won the Premier League title this season.
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Other notable exclusions include Ben Chilwell and often injury-stricken Chelsea fullback, Reece James – despite Southgate being slim on full-backs as it is – City loanee, Kalvin Phillips, as well as another United man in Jadon Sancho, who has only just regained some form out on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Elsewhere, fellow teammates Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and youngster Kobbie Mainoo have all been chosen by the national team boss despite some lingering questions surrounding their fitness and experience.
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You can see England’s Euros squad in full down below:
Once again, plenty can change between now and mid-June; drop-outs are almost inevitable when it comes to major tournaments, not to mention that the likes of the FA Cup and Champions League (with multiple England players featuring across both) could end up giving Southgate another decision to make.
Regardless, of the players that have been chosen for the Euros, England are fortunate to be stacked with plenty of talent, youth and experience. This could very well be the best chance of winning silverware fans could hope for.
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What do you think, is this the team to help bring football home?
Featured Images — England/Marcus Rashford (via Instagram)
Sport
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
Sport
John Stones is leaving Manchester City after a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he will be leaving after nearly a full decade in sky blue at the end of the season.
The England and Man City defender has lifted pretty much everything there is to win at club level, being part of the ‘Centurions’, Treble-winning and four-in-a-row sides.
John Stones signed for City back in August of 2016 and has gone on to be part of their greatest-ever period of success under Pep Guardiola, not to mention becoming a mainstay in the national team during that time.
Sharing a moving video on social media, announced the decision that will see him depart after the best part of 10 years this summer.
Having made nearly 300 appearances for the Cityzens, he will leave the Etihad as one of their most decorated players, with a tally of 19 major trophies, the same number of goals and nine assists during his time with the club.
That being said, depending on how the remainder of this 2025/26 campaign goes, all of those stats could improve even further.
Writing in an official statement of their own, Man City went on to say: “Armed with wonderful technique, a sublime passing range allied to a superb work rate and astute reading of the game, Stones was in many ways the very embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s City.
“Such was his natural talent and tactical flexibility that Stones’ City career later saw him often deployed in a hybrid role, which saw him move into the middle of the City engine room to great effect, not least in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final…”
He is now set to leave as a free agent this June.
John Stones will leave Manchester City in the summer, bringing an end to a memorable and hugely successful ten-year stay.
They sign off by adding that “the Club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
Following rumours of his departure in recent weeks and months, a number of clubs across Europe are already thought to have expressed interest in a transfer for the 31-year-old.
Some of the names floating around the Yorkshire-born centre-back’s signature include AC Milan and Bayern Munich; there have even been some hints at Everton attempting to re-sign him.
Where does he rank among your favourite City stars of all-time, Blues?
Danny Jones -
21st May 2024 
