England cannot forget Parris if she continues scoring streak

Nikita Parris is in brilliant form for Manchester United but it has not been good enough to earn an England recall.

The forward, 29, has scored eight goals for the Red Devils in the Women's Super League this season.

Yet she was nowhere to be seen when Sarina Wiegman named her latest Lionesses' squad on Tuesday.

Ahead of United's match against Arsenal today, we take a look at Parris' claims to re-enter the international stage.

Mature response

Parris has 71 caps and 17 goals for England but has not played for her country since 2022.

She fell out of favour in the run up to the 2023 World Cup and then issued a mature statement on social media after missing out on a place at the tournament.

Parris said: "In life, things will go against you but it's how you react that makes you. 

"After the Lionesses announcement yesterday, I am even more determined to reach new heights. 

"I'll still be wearing an England jersey all summer." 

It was a fantastic response to crushing news and Parris has since made good on her promise to reach new heights.

In her second season with United she has scored 15 goals in 18 games across all competitions, fuelling talk of an England recall. 

Position change

But Parris' sparkling form did not pique the interest of Wiegman ahead of friendlies against Austria and Italy later this month.

When the Lionesses' boss was quizzed on the surprise omission, she gave some insight on the decision process while offering some hope to the United ace.

Wiegman said: "The competition up front is really high and we made other decisions this month. 

"But since the new year she has played in the No9 position and done really well. 

"We have noticed that. I had a little chat with her and I hope she shows ­consistency because we are talking about her again. 

"We are watching her very closely. It was a hard decision." 

Parris has excelled since being moved from out wide to the No9 role at United, scoring six goals in her last six games and filling the void created by Alessia Russo's move to Arsenal last summer.

Skinner verdict

United boss Marc Skinner was recently asked about Parris' inspired position change, as well as her hopes of a recall for the Lionesses. 

He said: "Nikita has shown all the qualities of a true No9. She's in probably one of the best moments of form. 

"It's got to be hard to ignore, right? Because I think she's in a really good space right now. 

"Even her back-to-play stuff has got better. She's concentrating, linking play and her runs are perfect. 

"She's in a real good space and hopefully she gets rewarded for that if Sarina and her team think that's right at this moment." 

Ultimately, the latest England squad announcement may have come a little too soon for the Liverpool-born attacker. 

Six games is a small sample size and her case will be further strengthened if she can continue her fine form. 

United's match against Arsenal will see Parris go up against the Lionesses' captain Leah Williamson — the perfect opportunity to prove Wiegman wrong.