Marcus Rashford has equalled a 52-year-old record set by Jack Charlton for the most England appearances in a calendar year.
As reported in The Times , the Manchester United forward has represented the Three Lions 16 times since the beginning of 2018, drawing level with the World Cup winning centre-half’s total for 1966.
Gareth’s Southgate side have played 17 times this year, also equalling the record set by Sir Alf Ramsey's 1966 world champions.
An unexpected run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia over the summer has been the key component of England’s crowded fixture schedule, alongside the introduction of the UEFA Nations League and a series of friendlies.
Rashford has been a prominent figure in the England manager’s squad, scoring four goals and laying on one assist in a hugely successful year for the national side that has seen them rise to fifth in the FIFA World Rankings, as well as recapturing the attention and passion of a fanbase that had become largely disillusioned with the international setup.
Of England’s 17 matches in 2018, the 21-year-old only failed to feature in the 6-1 demolition of Panama during the group stage of the World Cup.
Since the tournament Rashford has cemented his position has a key member of Southgate’s forward line, starting all but one game.
Most recently he featured in England’s last gasp 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, a result that ensured the side qualified for next summer’s Nations League finals . A late strike from captain Harry Kane was enough to see off England’s World Cup tormentors and guarantee a place in the semi-finals of the tournament, which will be held in Portugal in June.
England will join the hosts, Switzerland, and either France or the Netherlands in the tournament, with two knockout semi-finals being contested before the final itself is held on June 9 .