England’s 2-0 win over Malta wasn’t the most exciting game of the International break. But for the 3 Manchester United stars that featured, it was a solid workout.
Captain Wayne Rooney enjoyed a fairly average game… Again. He did have a very good effort early on. But for the most part we see the same problems he is having at Manchester United. Over cooking passes, failing to win challenges and looking like a lost soul.
Related: Chris Smalling should lead Manchester United forward
To be fair to Rooney, he looked better than he has in recent weeks for his club. This is no doubt down to the fact the England team never left first gear. By the way, better than recent weeks is still a long way off the level we used to see from him week in and week out.
A very lively debut for Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard made the cut for Gareth Southgate’s first starting XI as England manager. Clearly the interim boss is aware the 23-year-old has great ability and potential. He did coach him at the under-21 level for many years after all.
The presence of Lingard meant the first “Dab-Cam” being present at Wembley. Unfortunately we did not get to see it in use. Despite a wonderful debut for the talented academy graduate. There was to be no goal to cap it off.
We were treated to a masterclass in outright passion and energy. His movement off the ball is quite sublime and now the England fans know it too.
This of course, is Malta. So his level of energy was mostly wasted. However, you can be damn sure when the opposition requires more intensity, Jesse Lingard will most certainly provide it for club and country.
Marcus Rashford looks good as always
Part of me lives in fear of the day Marcus Rashford looks ordinary. But deep down I don’t think that day will ever arrive. Even when the 18 year-old doesn’t bang in a hatful of goals, he will provide flashes of the brilliance he is capable of.
His introduction in the 68th minute was met with the loudest cheer around Wembley all night. There is not 1 football fan in England that does not recognize this kid as the future.
England were certainly in cruise control when he came on. Some of the players honestly looked like they had their minds on what the wife was planning for dinner.
Rashford provided an injection of pace down the wing and was only denied an assist because of a miss from Delle Alli.
Chris Smalling was left frustrated as an unused sub. Although given John Stones performance and his woeful start to the domestic campaign, it should only be a matter of time before he features in Southgate’s new look England.