BACK TO THE DAY JOB, MARCUS

He has tackled child food poverty, opposed the cut in Universal Credit and earned an honorary doctorate ...now Rashford has a big chance to shine for United

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has told Marcus Rashford he must now focus on his football and produce his best form for Manchester United.

Rashford will be included in United’s squad today for the first time this season, after making a full recovery from shoulder surgery in the wake of Euro 2020.

The United and England forward has seen his profile soar away from football, with his formidable work to tackle child food poverty and raise awareness of other social issues.

But now Rashford is fit and ready to play again, the United boss has told the 23-year-old he must put all of his energy into delivering on the pitch, rather than off it.

“I know that we’ll see the best of Marcus in the years to come,” said Solskjaer. “He’s done remarkable things at a young age, but he’s now coming into the best age for a footballer.

“He’s learning, getting more experienced, and he has time to reflect on what he’s done off the pitch as well, because he’s done some fantastic things.

“Now maybe prioritise his football and focus on football, because he’s got a challenge on his hands here at Manchester

United. He has a challenge on his hands to play for England, and I think Marcus is one of those who takes up those challenges and is going to do so.

“He’s going to express himself and his talent and he knows that we want a lot from him, but we’re going to give him the time to get back to what he was and what he can be.”

During his enforced lay-off, Rashford has bulked up in the gym and become more physically robust, to give himself the best possible chance of staying injury-free.

“He does look fresh,” said Solskjaer (with Rashford in training, below). “He looks keen, he looks fit. He’s bulked up a little bit, with some muscle.

“He had to bear a lot of the responsibility for us, because we’ve had injuries, we’ve had different players out and, at such a young age, he’s done so much for the team and so much off the pitch as well.

“The time away for him was the time maybe to focus on himself and – I don’t want to say get back to being himself – but Marcus running around with that enthusiasm, running in behind, not having to take on too much responsibility, is a great sight to see.

“For us now, he comes back into a different team. He’s got Jadon Sancho here, Mason Greenwood’s grown, Cristiano Ronaldo is here.

“I want to see that nice grin and enthusiasm that he’s shown so many times and, when he comes on the pitch, if he starts or even if he doesn’t, just enjoy yourself and express yourself.

“That’s what Manchester United players do and that’s what we want.”

Solskjaer confirmed the Reds want Jesse Lingard, who is out of contract in the summer, to sign a new deal, after he rejected the club’s initial offer.

“We want to prolong his contract,” he added. “We see him as an important player for us.

“Hopefully, we can get a deal sorted for Jesse, because we really rate him.”