Marcus Rashford took home two major wins at Manchester United’s annual end of season awards ceremony last night.
After enjoying an impressive run of form, and having taken his career to new heights over the last nine months or so, the 25-year-old forward was named both ‘Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year’, and ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ at Manchester United‘s annual awards last night – which closed out a respectable 2022/23 season for the Red Devils.
His successful season saw Rashford top the United fans’ vote for the historic Sir Matt Busby Award, making him the the first Academy graduate to do so since 1998, as well as being named the most popular player among his teammates.
Rashford took to social media to speak of his “huge sense of pride” after pulling off the double win.
Alongside sharing a picture of himself with a huge beaming smile, Rashford said in a heartfelt thank you to the team and his fans on social media that it was an “incredible honour” to win both of the coveted awards, and that the support of everyone “means the world”.
“Thanks to the manager and all the staff for their phenomenal help all year,” he continued, “I couldn’t do it without you all.”
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He also looked ahead to the FA Cup final against cross-town rivals and current Premier League champions, Manchester City, this Saturday (3 June), and promised fans that the team has full focus on the game as they aim towards “one last push for silverware”.
“We’ll leave it all at Wembley for you,” he insisted.
Marcus Rashford grins with ‘huge sense of pride’ as he wins two Manchester United awards / Credit: Marcus Rashford (via Instagram)
Rashford also spoke in a follow-up post of the “huge sense of pride” he feels after making history for Academy graduates with his Player of the Year award.
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“It’s been a long time since an Academy player has won this award,” he acknowledged.
“I feel a huge sense of pride, and hope more Academy players can go onto win this award and feel how I’m feeling.”
Speaking of the success of his season on stage as he collected his two awards, Rashford said in his thank you speech: “The main reason why I came back into the season in the condition I was because that was probably my first summer where I was off.
“I was just hungry to get started with the new manager [and] new staff. In my mind I just had a positive feeling and based of this season, I wasn’t wrong, but I hope we can keep pushing and keep moving forward.
“I just want to say a big thanks to my teammates and the staff, because without them pushing you every day in training, you don’t get to see the best version of me.
“I appreciate all of you guys and thank you very much.”
Featured Image – Manchester United
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Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
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Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
Emily Sergeant -
30th May 2023 
