Marcus Rashford is delighted to be back playing football again and has thanked Manchester United fans for all of their support during 2021.
It's been a challenging few months for Rashford in the aftermath of his penalty miss in England's Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, as he went under the knife to fix a shoulder problem that ruled him out of action for the beginning of the season.
While the striker made an instant impact on his return in October, scoring three goals in four games, he hasn't found the back of the net since as his and United's form nosedived.
Now Rashford is aiming to get back to his best in 2022 and hopes play as much as possible after spending much of the past year on the sidelines.
“I’m just buzzing to be back with the squad. That’s the first thing you miss when you’re out for a long time, it’s being with your team-mates and training every day and stuff like that,” he told United's in-house media.
“Then when you get to watch them on the weekend, that’s the exciting bit because you get to see them put into action what they’ve been working on all week.
“And if we get the win, it makes you even happier because you can’t be there with them, but it just makes you happy when you win the games.
“Then you start to build your recovery, you get closer and closer, and you just can’t wait to be back out there. I’m just looking forward to playing lots of games for the club again.”
Fellow teammate Paul Pogba has also been on the injury list recently after damaging his calf while training with France in the November international break. And Rashford revealed that he has recently spoken with the midfielder about recovering from setbacks.
“I was just speaking to Paul about this before," he explained. "Now I just feel so free and I’m just looking forward to the games because it’s been a long time since I’ve been completely free of injuries and stuff like that.
“I’m just ready for the games.”
United will bring their 2021 to a close on Thursday against Burnley and will be looking to return to winning ways after Monday's disappointing 1-1 draw at Newcastle.
Rashford also took the time to thank the United faithful for their unwavering support throughout 2021, even when things have been difficult for the club.
He said: “It’s been a difficult year for the fans as it has been for everyone. But when the fans came back the excitement and the buzz of football just went back to the level it was always at.
“For me, I’d say don’t underestimate how important the fans are to the players. When you’re running on the pitch in the 70th, 80th minute and you’re completely drained, they’re the ones who keep you going.
“It probably explains why Man United score so many late goals. We try to use the energy of the fans and try to put that into the team.
“So, I’d just like to say thank you to them for their support.”
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