Marcus Rashford reveals he’s ‘ready to be back on the pitch’ after marking his return from shoulder surgery with two goals in Manchester United’s behind-closed-doors friendly with Blackburn
Marcus Rashford is relishing the prospect of making his return for Manchester United at a crucial juncture of the season after recovering from shoulder surgery.
The 23-year-old’s last official appearance came in the Euro 2020 final, when he was one of three England players to miss a penalty in the shootout as the Three Lions lost to Italy.
Rashford underwent surgery on his shoulder in the summer and returned to action on Wednesday, scoring twice in a friendly against Blackburn Rovers held behind closed doors, which United won 3-0.
Marcus Rashford marked his return from injury with two goals in Man United’s friendly
The 23-year-old returned to full training after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer
The England international was relieved to make it through the game unscathed and suggested he was hopeful to make his comeback for United in the trip to Leicester after the international break.
‘It’s good now, I’m pretty much at the end now,’ Rashford told United’s official website on Thursday, after receiving a honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester in a special ceremony at Old Trafford.
‘I feel ready to be back on the pitch. So yeah, I‘m just looking forward to the next slot of games – it’s a busy schedule.’
Rashford hasn’t played for his club since May 26, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men lost the Europa League final on penalties against Villarreal and his return comes at an opportune time for the Norwegian.
Rashford’s last official appearance came in the Euro 2020 final when he came on a sub
The trip to Leicester marks the start of a daunting run of games for United and Solskjaer will be hopeful Rashford’s return can breathe a new lease of life into his team’s moribund attack.
United went into the international break after scoring just one goal over two games at Old Trafford againsT Aston Villa and Everton, picking up a solitary point in the process.
‘It’s the time when the squad’s important, we all have to be together and utilise everybody’s strengths,’ Rashford said.
‘It’s just about picking up points.
‘When there’s this many games in a short space of time, you just wanna keep picking up three points and move on to the next game.’
Rashford received a honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester on Thursday
The trip to Leicester on October 16 is followed by back-to-back home games against Atalanta in the Champions League and Liverpool.
The reverse fixture against the Serie A side is sandwiched between a visit to Tottenham and this season’s first instalment of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on November 6.
The fixture against City precedes trips to Watford, Villarreal and Chelsea on November 28, before Arsenal visit Old Trafford two days later.
United are fourth in the Premier League, level on points with City and Everton and one point adrift of second-placed Liverpool, with league leaders Chelsea one point further ahead.
