Ivana Fuso

Fuso: It was important to get my mindset right

Wednesday 17 November 2021 09:30

Manchester United Women’s Ivana Fuso says a positive and forward-thinking mindset has been key to her overcoming several injury setbacks since becoming a Red.

Having joined United from Swiss club FC Basel at the start of last season, the young forward has missed a large chunk of potential action as a result of multiple forced spells on the sidelines. Within her first few months at the club, Ivana suffered back-to-back injury problems which meant she had to wait until mid-December for her Reds debut.

After the 20-year-old worked her way back up to fitness, she then unfortunately picked up an ankle issue in March earlier this year, ruling her out for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign. 

Fuso has since been able to return to the training pitch this season and is hoping that she has now put those untimely occurrences behind her.

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Our no.13 netted her first Reds goal in her sole outing so far this season, our victory at Durham in the Continental Tyres League Cup last month.

Ahead of our next group-stage fixture in the competition against Manchester City this evening, the forward has spoke about the keys to overcoming those setbacks.

“I think because I believe in God, I was walking by faith. It was quite hard,” Ivana says in Wednesday's official matchday programme, available to buy at the ground.

“It's a hard mental time, so it's important that you get your mindset right. When you get your mindset right, you can look forward, think positive and move on. 

“That's the hard part but you have to do it because at the beginning, you're only sad, and you see only darkness. I had a lot of support, big support from my family, my team-mates and my friends. They helped me a lot to get through it. 

“It's quite hard but because of them, they helped me to get my mindset right, to move on, to not look back and to be focused.”

Despite those misfortunes, Ivana’s bright, smiley and positive character has continued to shine through. 

“It's my religion,” she explains.

“I believe in God - everyone knows that - and we say, in his words, you are the light of this world and let your light shine, let your light shine for everyone. 

“It's about sharing your faith, being there for a person who's suffering from something bad. I'm only offering hope and kindness and compassion. I'm not talking all the time about the Bible but if you're kind... a kind word can change people's entire day. 

“I always say be kind, be nice, help others. And smile! Always smile!”

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Now that Fuso is back on the pitch, she insists that she wants to do as much as she can for the team, including in this evening’s derby with City at Leigh Sports Village.

“I want to score more. I want to do more assists. I want to play more, and I want to play a good season for the club. 

“I want to help my team, because I couldn't help a lot last season. I want to do everything I can to be better. And I don't want to get injured again!”

Read the full exclusive interview with Ivana in tonight’s official matchday programme, which you can pick up your copy of at the ground on Wednesday evening. Tickets are still available for this evening’s match and can be purchased here.

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