Wayne Rooney insists he would stick with Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden in England's attack on Sunday.
The pair were introduced for the final group game against Wales earlier this week and combined to score all of England's three goals. They came in to replace Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka after the blunt display against the USA - which now leaves Gareth Southgate with a decision to make.
Sterling has long been a favourite whilst Saka, who has been in sensational form for Arsenal this term, has grown in importance since playing a major role at the Euros last summer. Who supports Harry Kane in attack is the major talking point ahead of the last 16 clash with Senegal.
Rooney, who played at several major tournaments, is half expecting Sterling and Saka to come back into the starting XI, but would opt for Rashford and Foden were it up to him.
He said in The Times : "It wouldn’t surprise me if Gareth brought back Sterling or Bukayo Saka, and maybe even both. I think he will leave either Foden or Marcus Rashford out and will be keen to use Sterling because he knows and trusts Raheem more than any of the other wide forwards.
"Me? I would stick with the side that beat Wales and keep Rashford and Foden in. Foden gives you better control and helps you play a lot more and you could see Rashford’s confidence grow after his goals against the Welsh. Confidence is the key with him."
Who should start for England against Senegal? Tell us what you think here.
Rashford endured a poor season last term with Manchester United and looked bereft of confidence and form before missing a crucial spot kick in the Euro final at Wembley. Now though, after a managerial change at Old Trafford, the forward looks reborn and Southgate believes England have a different player to the one who was present last summer.
“We’ve got a different version completely to the player we had in the Euros last summer," said the England boss. "He’s managed to produce those moments tonight. He could have had a hat-trick with the chance in the first half and the one at the near post towards the end. But it’s great for him and it’s great for us.”
England face Senegal, who won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and finished second to the Netherlands in their group. Rooney added: "African sides are always a lot better technically than people think. They work hard and have a special togetherness, which can make them difficult to beat, and we have seen African teams spring a lot of surprises in this competition."
