Marcus Rashford enjoys a ‘priceless’ pre-season as he hopes for fresh start

Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a “priceless” pre-season and is harnessing the pain of the previous year as the refreshed Manchester United forward attempts to get back to his best.

Last July’s heart-breaking penalty shoot-out miss in England’s European Championship final defeat to Italy was followed by the 24-year-old’s most challenging campaign to date.

Post-tournament shoulder surgery meant Rashford did not feature for United until mid-October, when an initial flurry of goals quickly dried up.

The forward’s poor performances saw him dropped by England and widely criticised, but he hopes to have turned a corner after a full pre-season under demanding new boss Erik ten Hag.

“For us, it’s definitely a positive thing to have a fully-fit squad ready to start the season.

“For me personally, it’s priceless to have the pre-season that I’ve had.

“Sometimes I don’t really take as much note of it because usually we’re playing games in the summer and stuff like that, so the next season sort of just rolls onto the previous season.

“But this year I’ve had time to break, rest, recover mentally and physically, and then I’ve had a proper pre-season.

“I feel really happy. I’m pleased that I managed to do that.”

Rashford is certainly feeling more positive than he did by the end of a wretched campaign by United’s standards.

The optimism that came with eye-catching signings on the back of finishing Premier League and Europa League runners-up soon faded, with the Red Devils slumping home sixth with a paltry points tally.

“I think it’s normal when we’re not performing as we should perform (that) you get criticised,” Rashford said. “It’s part and parcel of the game.

“I’ve always said that I’m my own harshest critic and I know when I’m not