Gareth Southgate says Marcus Rashford has been omitted from England's Euro 2024 provisional squad because "other players had better seasons than him".

The Manchester United forward, who has scored eight goals in 42 matches for his club this season, was one of two major omissions from the 33-player Three Lions squad preparing for Germany this summer, alongside former vice-captain Jordan Henderson.

Rashford had previously been named in every single England major tournament squad under Southgate but will now watch his country compete for the Euro 2024 title at home.

"These are of course difficult calls," Southgate said in a press conference. "You are talking about very good players who have been important in what we've done over a number of years.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England manager Gareth Southgate explains why he has left Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson out of his provisional squad for the Euros and why he has named a larger group ahead of his final decision. "With Marcus, I just feel that other players in that area of the pitch had better seasons. It's as simple as that."

The other significant absentee from the England squad was Henderson, who has endured a turbulent club season. The former Liverpool captain joined Saudi Arabia club Al Ettifaq last summer and despite keeping his place in the Three Lions team, he then moved to Ajax in the January transfer window.

"Hendo has given himself every chance," said Southgate. "The determining factor is the injury he picked up at the last camp [in March]. He has missed five weeks and just hasn't been able to get to the intensity in the game since then.

Also See: Euro 2024: England drawn with Denmark; Scotland face Germany in opener

Euro 2024 fixtures

Who is playing at Euro 2024?

Download the Sky Sports App

"He's a fantastic professional, it was a difficult call to make as he's been so important and supportive in my time.

"All the boys I have spoken to: Ben [Chilwell], Marcus and Jordan - who were all with us last time - were all incredibly professional and considering the disappointment, they dealt with it well."

Shaw a 'long shot' for Euros despite call-up Image: Luke Shaw is a major injury doubt for the Euros Southgate has named 33 players for an England training camp ahead of friendlies with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iceland in early June, but has to reduce that number to 26 players by 11pm on June 7 - nine days before the Three Lions' tournament opener against Serbia.

The England manager called up left-back Luke Shaw despite a muscle injury keeping the defender out since the middle of February.

Southgate delivered the worrying news that Shaw, who is England's first-choice option at left-back, is a serious doubt to take part in the tournament.

"I have to say he is up against it - he's missed a lot of football," Southgate said on Shaw's fitness.

"The fact he's been first choice in that position , we're probably giving him longer than we might have done. I'm not sure what is realistic at this moment in time.

"I've talked with him, the medical team are liaising with Man Utd closely. But I would have to say he is a long shot."

Can England go all the way? 'Of course, absolutely' Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England manager Gareth Southgate is asked whether England can win the Euros, hear what he has to say in reply. England go into this tournament having come agonisingly close to winning the trophy three years ago, when the Three Lions were beaten by Italy on penalties in the Wembley final.

Asked if his side are capable of going one step further, the England manager replied: "I'd be an idiot if I said no, but if I said yes, that doesn't mean there's not a lot of work ahead of us.

"There's no doubt what is possible. The team has been close already. They know what is possible, they know what they've won at club level and what that's taken.

"And equally, you can see cup football, which we're going into, we know you have to navigate game by game and qualify from the group.

"But in knockout football, the Champions League showed that Man City and Arsenal were in the best three teams this year and didn't get to where they wanted to, as it's one moment and fine margins.

"That is our world. You have to deliver on those moments. But are we one of those teams who can win? Of course, absolutely."

England's potential Euro 2024 route Group stage The top two in each group plus the four best third-placed teams go through

Sunday June 16 - Group C: Serbia vs England (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen - kick-off 8pm UK time)

Thursday June 20 - Group C: Denmark vs England (Waldstadion, Frankfurt - kick-off 5pm UK time)

Tuesday June 25 - Group C: England vs Slovenia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne - kick-off 8pm UK time)

England's potential route to the final as group winners...

If all results at Euro 2024 go with the world rankings England's opponents in the knockout rounds would be...

Round of 16: Sunday June 30 - England vs Austria/Romania/Turkey (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen)

Quarter-final: Saturday July 6 - England vs Italy (Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf)

Semi-final: Wednesday July 10 - France vs England; kick-off 8pm (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund)

Final: Sunday July 14 - Spain vs England; kick-off 8pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)

England's potential route to the final as group runners-up...

If England finish second in Group C but all other results at Euro 2024 go with the world rankings, the Three Lions' opponents in the knockout rounds would be...

Round of 16: Saturday June 29 - Germany vs England (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund)

Quarter-final: Friday July 5 - Spain vs England (MHPArena, Stuttgart)

Semi-final: Tuesday July 9 - England vs Netherlands; kick-off 8pm (Allianz Arena, Munich)

Final: Sunday July 14 - England vs France; kick-off 8pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)