Marcus Rashford has opened up on his decision to delay undergoing surgery – suggesting he would have chosen to go under the knife instead of playing at Euro 2020 had he known he would have limited game time.
The United star is set to undergo an operation to resolve a shoulder issue, one of a couple of injuries that left him playing through the pain barrier last campaign.
Rashford played 64 matches for club and country last summer but failed to start any match at the Euros, making four appearances off the bench.
Some supporters have questioned the United forward’s decision to delay his decision to have surgery.
But in an emotional open letter published on his social media, Rashford has hit back.
‘When I was 11-years-old MU helped me and my family out of a really difficult situation. I will always feel indebted,’ he wrote.
‘When the club needs me, I’ll be there. Any role I can play in helping my boyhood club I’m going to do it. Even to my detriment at times. Having been out of the game recovering from the double stress fracture, and having spent a lot of time away from teammates and staff who’d been a part of my life as long as I could remember, I needed to feel like I was part of something again.
‘I needed to feel like I was playing my part. I’ve read some call me selfish for holding off getting the surgery this season but it was never about putting myself first an how we’ve reached this point, and something as a 23-year-old I’ve had to learn the hard way. To guarantee I can play this game as long as possible I need to listen to my body.
‘Everyone has an opinion but no one knows my body better than me. It’s hard to describe the feeling of representing your country. Given the choice no one would ever turn that down at such a big tournament. As a little boy or girl you dream of those moments. I had been deemed for the full season, and given my injuries were being managed, what was another couple of weeks?
‘Managing the pain I was training well and found a lot of comfort in the England camp after the Europa League final. On hindsight, if I had of known I wouldn’t have played a significant role in the Euros, would I have gone? Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn’t it…
‘I didn’t want to let anyone down but ultimately looking at some of my performances towards the end of last season I felt like I was. When I step on the pitch I always give 100 per cent. Physically my 100 percent just wasn’t possible.
‘I’m walking away with my lessons learnt. We like and we learn as they say but what is never in doubt is my commitment to the club and the national team. It’s been a hard one but I’m coming back physically and mentally stronger. Thank you for all of the kind messages.’
