O'Hara: 'If Rashford's Fit, Rashford Starts

The 2026 World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico is now less than a year away, and the excitement is building.

Every week a new team confirms their place at what will be the biggest World Cup ever. International friendlies are no longer pointless games; they now serve as an opportunity for managers to assess each player closely and what they may bring to a tournament.

And, as you might imagine, the media whirlwind has already picked up around who each manager should pick.

One of the most discussed is, of course, Thomas Tuchel's England squad. I mean, we all know what the English media is like, don't we?

The options, perhaps more so than ever, are rife, and every pundit, journalist and fan is already having their say on exactly who should be in the starting XI come the summer.

The most recent to offer up his two pence was TalkSport and Sky Sports pundit Jamie O'Hara, who gave his comprehensive England lineup for the World Cup live on Sky Sports.

One of the main talking points arose in his decision to include Marcus Rashford on the left flank, accompanying it with a damning statement in which he said, "If Rashford's fit, Rashford starts."

O'Hara's Rashford Reasoning

With a variety of talent that can play in that wide left position, including Anthony Gordon, who has been publicly praised by Thomas Tuchel in recent weeks for what he offers the team, so confidently picking Rashford rightly needed some explanation.

In his reasoning, O'Hara said, "Well, Anthony Gordon defensively, yeah, of course. But why are we thinking defensively? We want to go and win the World Cup.

"Whoever you play, you've got to think about winning the games, and Rashford is playing for Barcelona; he's playing at the highest level."

Rashford joined the Spanish giants on loan from Manchester United in the summer transfer window, and since ridding himself of the shackle that was the red side of Manchester, it's safe to say his form has been much more like the old Rashford.

He has played 16 games for Barca so far this year, contributing a more than solid six goals and seven assists in that time.

Rashford's England Squad History

Rashford made his England debut back in 2016, which made him the youngest ever England player and the youngest to score on his debut.

Following that Euro 2016 debut, Rashford has represented England at multiple World Cups, in 2018 and 2022, and was involved in the heartbreak of Euro 2020.

Rashford did, however, miss out on a place in the Euro 2024 squad amid struggles at boyhood club Manchester United and was replaced by more in-form compatriots like Cole Palmer.

Due to his return to form this season, Tuchel has rewarded him with a recall to the squad, with Rashford playing a part in each of the last two breaks, even scoring against Serbia.

Could He Actually Start?

O'Hara's opinion definitely has a possibility of coming to fruition if Rashford can continue to keep himself in the starting lineup for Barca and perform to a good standard.

There aren't actually a plethora of other options who are out-and-out left wingers, and even fewer who offer the traits that Rashford does.

He has an exceptional directness which makes him an absolute nuisance for fullbacks; pair that with the terrifying speed he possesses, and the impact he can have suits him very well for tournament football.

Comparing him to Anthony Gordon, the main thing he lacks is intensity, which allows him to affect both sides of the ball, but for a game in which England are favourites, Rashford could well be the perfect option.

Despite all of that, perhaps the most important thing to note about Rashford is that he is a confidence player.

As shown by the struggles he faced when left untrusted toward the rear of his time with the Man Utd squad, Rashford needs consistent minutes in his legs in the right environment to get his form up and running.

And, when he is given that, it is difficult to stop him from turning that trust into gold. So for Thomas Tuchel, who is looking for difference-makers to add to his select tournament squad, Jamie O'Hara may well be right…

Rashford at least deserves a place in the squad and could well be the starter on that left-hand side.