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3 Manchester United stars could feature for England tonight against Netherlands

By Ollie Slack

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England take on the Netherlands this evening in Amsterdam in the penultimate set of friendlies before the World Cup in June. Three Manchester United players have been included in the squad for the games, but could they feature tonight?

Ashley Young, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have travelled to Holland ahead of tonight’s match. And all three of the United stars will be hoping to impress manager Gareth Southgate ahead of his World Cup squad selection.

England have never won at the Amsterdam Arena, renamed the Johan Cruyff ArenA in 2017. Drawing on all three occasions the Three Lions have visited. The last fixture of those a 2-2 draw, back in 2009, when Jermain Defoe netted a brace.

Team news

Gareth Southgate has already confirmed Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will start in goal for England. Pickford played in England’s last set of friendlies too, keeping a clean sheet against Germany (0-0) in November.

Southgate has also told the media that Jordan Henderson will captain the side. The Liverpool club captain has lead England out four times already in his career. Gareth Southgate is yet to choose an official England captain.

Will the Manchester United boys feature?

Marcus Rashford is the most likely Manchester United player to start the match. The 20-year old has played in 10 of England’s last 11 matches; the last six on the bounce. Since the appointment of Southgate Rashford has become a regular in the side. 12 of Rashford’s 15 England caps have come with Southgate in charge. 

Jesse Lingard has also seen a change in fortunes since the arrival of Southgate. The England manager handed Lingard his debut after working with him in the under-21’s. Lingard has since gone on to claim eight national caps. Five of those have come off the bench, however since November Lingard has been in the form of his life. I expect a cameo of some sort.
Jesse Lingard has also seen a change in fortunes since the arrival of Southgate. The England manager handed Lingard his debut after working with him in the under-21’s. Lingard has since gone on to claim eight national caps. Five of those have come off the bench, however since November Lingard has been in the form of his life. I expect a cameo of some sort. /

Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford are inseparable off the pitch. But it seems they can’t live without each other on it too. In every one of Lingard’s eight appearances, Marcus Rashford has also played.

Ashley Young played his first England match for four years when he came on against Brazil last year. And people are really starting to consider the 32-year old as a viable option for the World Cup. Due to his versatility, dead ball ability and tournament experience, he could be a valuable squad member for Gareth Southgate. Recently, Ryan Bertrand has pulled out of the squad for the two friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy. Meaning Ash could make a surprise appearance in one of the two fixtures.
Ashley Young played his first England match for four years when he came on against Brazil last year. And people are really starting to consider the 32-year old as a viable option for the World Cup. Due to his versatility, dead ball ability and tournament experience, he could be a valuable squad member for Gareth Southgate. Recently, Ryan Bertrand has pulled out of the squad for the two friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy. Meaning Ash could make a surprise appearance in one of the two fixtures. /

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Familiar faces

Daley Blind hasn’t been called into the Netherlands squad due to injury. However, Timothy Fosu-Mensah could line up for his country against England. The 20-year old has spent this season on-loan at Crystal Palace but all three of the United boys know him very well.

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