England starts without Rashford in EM qualifiers

The English national football team has to do without striker Marcus Rashford at the start of the European Championship qualification.

The goalscorer from record champions Manchester United received a blow in the FA Cup game against Fulham (3-1) and will miss the games against Italy (March 23) and Ukraine (March 26).

Rashford, 25, has scored 27 goals for United this season, including 19 after the World Cup break. In Qatar he had scored three goals in five games.

Team manager Gareth Southgate is also without Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount. The only replacement is goalkeeper Fraser Forster from Tottenham Hotspur.

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