Marcus Rashford's World Cup snub slammed by Henry and Ibrahimovic

Marcus Rashford's brief appearance in England's 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-final on 15 July has drawn sharp criticism from football legends Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Manchester United forward was only brought on in the sixth minute of second-half injury time, leaving fans and pundits questioning manager Thomas Tuchel's decisions.

What happened in the match?

England took the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute, but Argentina staged a late comeback to secure their place in the final. Rashford, who had been an unused substitute in England's previous knockout matches, was finally introduced when the game was already slipping away. His limited involvement followed a tournament where he scored once in the group stage against Croatia but failed to make an impact in subsequent matches.

Why the criticism?

Thierry Henry, speaking on Fox Sports, argued that Tuchel's defensive shift came too early. He said: 'They went into a back-five too early. It’s not easy on the bench but they went defensive too early-you don’t beat that team like that.' Henry suggested Rashford was meant to come on just before Gordon scored, altering England's tactical approach.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic agreed, stating: 'Tuchel didn’t play the cards right. They had six defenders on the pitch at one point.' The former Manchester United striker highlighted how England's defensive setup allowed Argentina to dominate in the final stages.

What does this mean for Rashford?

Rashford's future at Manchester United remains uncertain, and his limited role in the World Cup has done little to boost his prospects. With England now set to face France in the third-place playoff on 18 July, questions linger over whether Tuchel will give him a more significant role or if his tournament is effectively over.

Rashford's World Cup stats

According to Transfermarkt, Rashford made just four appearances in the tournament, scoring one goal and providing no assists. His lack of game time has raised concerns about his form and fitness heading into the new club season.