The reliable Telegraph journalist, Matt Law is reporting that Manchester United defenders, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire will start for England tonight in their quarter-final clash with France.
Southgate set to name unchanged England team for tonight's World Cup quarter-final against France https://t.co/ksEzQxTJlG
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) December 10, 2022
England manager Gareth Southgate has opted for an unchanged lime-up according to Law, which means that despite the two United players starting, there is no starting spot for Marcus Rashford.
However, Rashford should not feel to disheartened at not starting the game because he has featured in all four of England’s World Cup games prior to today’s game against France, and he almost got himself a goal or two in the 3-0 win over Senegal in the Round of 16 clash when he came on as a second half substitute.
With no Rashford starting, it means that Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden will play on the flanks, and the pair will need to contribute defensively and help out nullify the attacking threat of France. When and if Rashford does come on, he is expected to do the same but one benefit he might have by coming on as a substitute is that the French players might be tired, which can open up more space for the United forward to run into.
Great win tonight and 50th cap for @england 🏴
Bring on the quarterfinals pic.twitter.com/SqoKbGFEKD— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) December 4, 2022
Maguire and Shaw will have to be at their best if they are to help England progress because there will be a huge responsibility on the England back four to keep the dangerous, Kylian Mbappe quiet as he has taken this World Cup by storm, scoring five goals in the four matches that he has played thus far [BBC Sport].
✔️ #ThreeLions
✔️ Three quarter-finalistsWell in, lads! 🙌#MUFC || #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/19Mm5nw9KF
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 4, 2022
The game between England and France is scheduled to take place at 7pm UK time at the Al Bayt stadium and the winner of this game will either face Portugal or Morocco.