England U21s 4-1 Austria U21s: Classy Morgan Rogers scores brace and helps Young Lions shine under interim boss Ben Futcher after exodus to the senior side

Usually there comes a churn of Under 21 stars at the end of a tournament cycle but, given an influx of youth at senior level, England are undergoing some surgery just nine months before defending their European Championship crown.

Lee Carsley has already taken Rico Lewis, Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento to the seniors – and the smart money is on a few more being given deserved chances as his reign progresses.

That makes Ben Futcher’s role crucial as interim coach of the Young Lions – one lasting until at least November. His priority is to make sure they continue playing the Carsley way with a few different faces. Patience is a reasonable expectation yet he is not afforded such luxuries.

There was certainly more of a zip to England than had been evidenced during the goalless draw in Northern Ireland a few nights earlier. 

It will please Futcher that he saw Morgan Rogers flourishing with a brace, James McAtee notching too, and a general sense of controlling the game against a decent Austria side who had, through former Chelsea man Thierno Ballo, equalised 10 minutes before the break to cancel out Rogers’ penalty. 

Rodgers flourished with a brace in an improved display under interim boss Ben Futcher

The forward scored from the penalty spot and notched his brace after sweeping home

James McAtee was also on target after volleying in calmly from Lewis Hall’s assist

FA technical director John McDermott was joined in the stands by Carsley’s coaches, Ashley Cole and Joleon Lescott, during the first half. Yet England only upped the tempo and hurt Austria once the trio had gone back early to the seniors’ hotel.

Samuel Iling-Junior’s purposeful drive infield from the right opened Austria up and, once McAtee had dummied for Rogers, the Aston Villa forward smartly swept in his second. An important night for him, despite his club manager Unai Emery complaining that this level was beneath such a talent.

By the hour, England were two clear when Lewis Hall – largely overlooked by Carsley – set up McAtee who volleyed home calmly. Tom Fellows added a neat fourth for good measure.

The Under 21s feel like a work in progress at the moment, still requiring qualifying results against Azerbaijan and Ukraine next month to confirm their place at Euro 2025 as one of three best runners-up.

Navigating that should not prove too difficult, and so the most important thing from McDermott’s perspective is that this team stay true to what the top boss wants.