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
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Sean Dyche sends the five of us on a mission in our new single What Can I Say (After I’m Sorry) out Wednesday 1st May ⏰ pic.twitter.com/WcDdfgAD1m
Sean Dyche stars as the boss in the music video for Blossoms’ latest single, ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?’ As you do.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
So, Erling Haaland is now a character in Clash of Clans… 👀
Bit random, we know, but it's a funny little trailer. 😅
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
Sport
Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
We're saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Ian Mellor.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.
Danny Jones -
3rd August 2023 
