Marcus Rashford has the strength of character to overcome his Euro 2020 final penalty shoot-out miss, according to Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Rashford, along with Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, missed from the penalty spot, with Italy lifting the trophy after the dramatic shoot-out at Wembley.
The trio were subjected to vile racist abuse on social media in the wake of the defeat, but Solskjaer praised Rashford for having the courage to step up and take a penalty, after only just coming off the bench late in extra-time.
Solskjaer also said Rashford, who has taken high-pressure penalties for United in the past and scored, will continue to put himself forward for spot-kick duties in the future, despite his high-profile miss.
“You know, the thing is when you step up to take a penalty, I think you’ve already won,” said Solskjaer.
“You’ve taken on the responsibility and I’m sure many of the players are hoping I don’t want to take a penalty.
“So I think it’s a great character trait to step up and say 'I will deal with it - and the consequences'.
“You might be the hero or the one who misses. That’s football. You learn from it and definitely come back stronger.
“I’ve not seen many people, at this club anyway, who lay down and say I’ll not take a penalty anymore.
“I know Marcus is going to put his hand up and say he wants to take one for us.”
Solskjaer was also full of praise for Rashford's United team-mate Luke Shaw, who scored England's opener in the final after two minutes and who enjoyed an outstanding tournament.
As well as his goal in the final, Shaw contributed three assists for England, his impressive performance coming on the back of his best season for United, after several tough years at Old Trafford.
“I’m so happy for Luke,” said Solskjaer, reflecting on Shaw's goal. “I was watching it and was like 'what’s just happened?'.
“He started the attack and we’ve encouraged him to get into the last third.
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“We know how technically gifted he is and skilful he is and he hit the ball very, very sweetly.
“He keeps his eye on the ball, straight laces and it’s margins again – off the post and in, not off the post and out.
“That’s football for you. Luke deserves all the luck he can get. He’s had a tremendous couple of years with us.”
Reflecting on England's latest penalty shoot-out heartbreak, after reaching a major final for the first time in 55 years, Solskjaer said he sympathised with Gareth Southgate, his players and the millions of fans who craved a win.
“Obviously, we know the feeling the whole of England had after the game,” said Solskjaer.
“One kick decides the whole mood. An even game, maybe Italy bossed possession a little bit, of course, but when it comes to penalty shoot-outs, anything can happen, as we know from our own last game.
“It’s hard on the boys, but that’s football sometimes. You just have to deal with it and move on.
“I know the whole atmosphere in the country has been so great and, of course, it’s an anti-climax. I know that.”
