Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho may need to leave Man Utd to reignite their careers – and return to the England squad

JADON SANCHO doesn’t always get it right on social media.

But after Bukayo Saka buried a penalty and buried painful memories of his missed penalty in the last Euro final, Sancho posted: “So proud of this guy, you did this for me and Marcus brother!”

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It was a timely reminder that Saka, Sancho and Marcus Rashford are forever linked by their defeats against Italy – and the vile online abuse that followed.

All five of England’s penalty takers in the victory over Switzerland were black or of mixed heritage – a fact duly highlighted given the sickening backlash in 2021.

But while Arsenal star Saka – who was magnificent in Saturday’s quarter-final – prepares for the semi-final against the Netherlands, Manchester United duo Sancho and Rashford face uncertain futures for club and country.

There has been a lot of talk about the depth of attacking talent in the England squad – and Gareth Southgate’s inability to make the most of it. However, it is the depth of offensive talent left behind that is truly astonishing.

Three years ago, when Sancho, Rashford, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish were part of England’s march to the final, it would have been unthinkable for all four of them to be eliminated by Southgate in this tournament.

Rashford in full flow would have been a blessing in Germany.

The Mancunian possesses the pace and directness that Southgate lacks but, after a prolific 2022-23 season, his form fell off a cliff last season.

His emphatic finish in last year’s Wembley qualifying victory over Italy was shown on big screens before England’s Euro games – a reminder of his skill.

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Sancho hasn’t played for England in almost three years, but there shouldn’t be a 24-year-old former international – especially one good enough to have started the Champions League final last month.

He has been away from United since accusing Ten Hag of using him as a scapegoat in a social media post last autumn.

Ten Hag’s dismissal may have revived his United career, but now that ship has sailed, it’s anyone’s guess who Sancho will be training with this pre-season.

The youth team or maybe even the mascots. It’s a shame because, as well as being an excellent player, Sancho has been a trailblazer – his original move to Borussia Dortmund paved the way for Jude Bellingham to do the same.

When the Bundesliga restarted after the pandemic, Sancho scored three goals and sported a “Justice for George Floyd” t-shirt in memory of the black American killed by a police officer – a precursor to the players who took a knee for racial equality.

He is a brave individual and a very good player.

Rashford’s campaigns for social justice are best remembered – his campaign against the end of free school meals forced a government U-turn and earned him an MBE.

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A saint in those days, Rashford was a sinner last season when he missed training after a drunken trip to Belfast.

But the truth really should be somewhere in between. Rashford, like Sancho, could be a very good footballer who needs a change.

United are apparently willing to sell, with Rashford also having fallen out with Ten Hag – albeit less spectacularly than Sancho.

The childhood United fan would also have preferred a new manager, but the role he played in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City helped derail that.

Rashford, 26, has long been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Sancho – who became the first United player in 13 years to reach the Champions League final while on loan at Dortmund – is a Juventus target.

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Both players could benefit from a move abroad – a temporary reduction in football pace and intensity of attention.

Grealish, Manchester City’s £100m player, is another in need of a change to play more regular football after spending much of last season on the bench.

And Sterling, the 30-year-old right back and a proven international performer, must also have ambitions of an England recall.

Everyone will watch England face the Netherlands in Dortmund tomorrow, knowing they could have played a part.

Everyone must still fight for a place in the next World Cup.

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It is now customary for retiring great sportsmen to receive staged farewells – even from two such wonderfully stubborn individuals as Andy Murray and Jimmy Anderson.

Murray’s Wimbledon farewell was botched when he was defeated by Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles, following a set piece in Hollywood following his men’s doubles defeat to brother Jamie.

Now Anderson – England’s most prolific wicket-taker – will receive all the pomp and ceremony at Lord’s tomorrow when he begins his final Test against the West Indies.

For Anderson to have a one-off final appearance at the start of a series is a bit symbolic.

If he is still good enough to play for England, he should remain in the squad throughout the summer.

Certainly Murray and Anderson would have preferred something more discreet and authentic.

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It seems a challenge to fate to write it, but, almost without exception, the English fans have been a joy at this tournament.

About a decade ago, we in the media would do everything we could to avoid fans on away trips – as some were violent, while many others were simply rude and anti-social.

That is no longer the case. The FA and police, through banning orders, have successfully changed the culture and demographic makeup of English followers.

Many people who would have run a mile before traveling to watch the Three Lions now find the atmosphere positive.

They are enjoying the beer and doing their best to enjoy the football, without feeling the need to terrorize the locals.

It’s a huge leap forward.

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LUKE SHAW is the only Englishman to score in a major international final in more than half a century.

He was once the most expensive teenager in the world and also has a Coco Pops monkey tattoo.

There are many reasons to love the man nicknamed “Shawberto Carlos”.

Not least – as someone pointed out on social media during his appearance in Saturday’s quarter-final win against Switzerland – he looks more like darts prodigy Luke Littler than a real footballer.

But the best reason to love him is that he is a true left-back – which is what England have been lacking throughout the tournament.

Shaw is expected to start against the Netherlands in tomorrow’s semi-final. It could make all the difference.

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IF Harry Kane doesn’t win his first major trophy with England on Sunday – and the odds are still very much against that – then he will certainly break the grip with Bayern Munich next season.

The signing of Fulham’s João Palhinha, the most monstrous defender in world football, should make all the difference for the fallen Bundesliga champions.

As was the capture of Crystal Palace wizard Michael Olise.

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IN THE Copa América, Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay eliminated Brazil, having previously lit up the group stage.

And El Loco warned that the introduction of VAR and the prevalence of five-minute highlight clips are turning football into a business, sending the sport into decline.

Bielsa is right, as always.

No wonder they miss him at Leeds.