Rashford impressed by youngsters in pre-season
Pre-season represents an opportunity for young players to impress the manager ahead of a new campaign and Marcus Rashford believes Manchester United’s Academy prospects can do just that.
A host of fledgling talents have been involved in Erik ten Hag’s training sessions at Carrington thus far. That includes young duo Will Fish and Zidane Iqbal, who both put pen to paper on new contracts earlier this week.
In an interview with club reporter Joe Ganley, homegrown hero Rashford explains how vital this experience can be for the development of our next generation.
Rashford: The new manager is so positive
Exclusive | Watch our Q&A with Marcus Rashford for details of his summer break, fitness and Erik ten Hag's arrival...
“I think it is massive,” says Rashford. “I was gutted when I was 17 and I missed out on the tour because I had a back injury.
“Honestly, when you know that you are being involved in the first team and you have got a chance to go on the tour, it's a massive opportunity.
“It's a period to be around the first team every day, training with us every day, play games with us and get minutes under your belt.”
The 24-year-old believes the experience of playing with the seniors is invaluable and can act as a springboard for youth players to become part of the squad in the future, as it did for him in 2016.
“It can really trigger something for you in your career,” explains Marcus. “For me, it was mentally the steps that I took forward when I first starting training and playing with the first team.
“It was huge. It is something that you can't take for granted.”
What a week for our Academy players
ArticleA number of young Reds have gained invaluable experience by being involved in Erik ten Hag's first few training days.
Rashford adds that he has been impressed by the Academy players in training so far, and he suspects they will get an opportunity to be involved in Tour 2022.
“Hopefully some of them get the opportunity to come with us and play some minutes,” he says. “I wouldn't be surprised if some of them started the season with us as well because they have all started training well.
“They have all come back in good condition, so there are only positive things I can say really. Everyone is giving 100 per cent, which is the main thing at this stage of the season, and it is probably going to take another week and a half until we are all really fit and raring to go.
“In these periods when it is tough, when you are doing your first sets of runs, all of the lads have been doing that and I think the young lads have done well. The first team lads have set a good example, so hopefully they get an opportunity to come on the tour and play some games.”