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England manager Gareth Southgate gives reasons why the Manchester United forward will not be missed despite his great form this season
England manager Gareth Southgate has said that the national team does not miss in-form Manchester United star Marcus Rashford after the striker pulled out of the squad due to injury.
Rashford missing from England squad despite great form
Rashford has been in superb form for Manchester United, playing arguably the best season of his senior career so far.
He has scored 27 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 campaign and assisted nine more, making this his most productive season since his debut.
Despite his incredible form, Rashford has failed to secure an assured slot in the Three Lions’ starting lineup and made only one appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a starter.
In England’s latest squad to execute the EURO 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine, Rashford was called up but would most likely have ended up playing second fiddle again to England’s all-time top scorer Harry Kane despite his exceptional form this season.
Southgate not bothered by Rashford absence
Rashford saved Southgate the selection headache by withdrawing from the squad, citing injuries and the England boss has said that his withdrawal from the national team will not be a big issue for the Three Lions.
England already beat Italy in the first game of the qualifying series, and ahead of the second game, Southgate said that Rashford’s absence had not been felt due to his frequent withdrawals from the national team.
When asked how big a loss Rashford was for the team, Southgate said, "Well the feeling was he was playing really well, but we haven’t often had him.
"So, in terms of a loss, when you haven’t had him that often then it’s different to being a loss.”
England will take on Ukraine in the second of their EURO 2024 qualifying games on Sunday, hoping to continue from where they left off against Italy.
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