Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has revealed that Erik ten Hag’s latest pre-season is “one of the toughest” he’s ever been through, describing it as both physically and mentally challenging.
The Man United no.10 had his best statistical season ever last year, managing his highest-ever goal tally with 30 across all competitions, registering 11 assists and emerging as an even greater talisman in Erik ten Hag‘s team than under any previous manager.
Speaking to Gary Neville on the latest of The Overlap, the 25-year-old gave an in-depth interview on everything from what he’s learned from his previous coaches and what parts of his game he’s working on, to hunting down Wayne Rooney‘s goalscoring record, how his family have helped him and more.
He also touched on the impact ten Hag has had on him and the rest of the squad so far, describing this most recent pre-season as “one of the toughest I’ve ever had”.
Rashford speaking candidly and confidently on the latest episode of The Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet.
Chatting with the former defender last month, Rashford said: “Erik’s pre-season is one of the toughest, running wise but we also do a lot of passing drills and it’s a lot of mental concentration and when you’re already physically tired, it’s difficult to concentrate for long periods of time.”
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The lightning-fast forward said that in addition to lots of ball work, the squad regularly do “20–30-minute technical sessions” before breaking into “eight or 10 blocks of box to boxes or shorter intensity runs” and then going back into the technical work.
He went on to add that part of the challenge has been carrying out these sessions in the “heat of the places that [they’re] training in”, but insisted that he feels in good shape as the pre-season is drawing towards an end.
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In fact, Rashford is feeling so confident — something he says has been restored throughout the team, reminding them that they “wouldn’t be here if [they] weren’t good players” — that he believes he could push as far as “35 or 40 goals”. Reds will just have to hope he doesn’t pick up any more injuries and can kick on even further this season, no doubt having already been lofted by his new contract.
Fitness was another aspect that the Wythenhsawe winger touched upon, describing his shoulder surgery back in 2021 as the “lowest point” in his career, and while the England international has struggled with a number of injury problems over the past few seasons, it seems his hard work and determination is paying off.
As he sees it, “If I don’t do these things [pre-season training camps], maybe you start the season and don’t feel that you’re up to scratch and I don’t want to be in that position”. As well as working on his left foot and his heading ability, Rashy is also eyeing up longevity and says he wants to play until he’s 37.
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One thing United fans will be pleased to hear is how the former Ajax coach has helped improve the chemistry amongst the squad too, stating that he’s “really concentrated on making everyone together as one”, whether they’re in the starting 11 or not.
You can Marcus Rashford’s Overlap interview with Gary Neville in full down below:
Rashford on ten Hag’s testing pre-season, wanting to start for England, a potential future in coaching and more.
Featured Image — Sky Bet/The Overlap (via YouTube)/Marcus Rashford/ Man United (via IG)
Sport
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.
Danny Jones -
3rd August 2023 
