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Football

28th Dec 2021

Marcus Rashford reveals advice from Louis Van Gaal helped him through 2021

Callum Boyle

A conversation with Louis Van Gaal when he was Manchester United boss has helped Rashford to ‘balance’ his emotions through 2021

Marcus Rashford has revealed that advice from his former Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal has helped him through a turbulent 2021.

The Dutchman gave Rashford his debut in 2016 and the forward has since gone on to become one of United’s most experienced and important first-team players.

Coupled with his incredible work off the pitch, the 24-year-old had a busy 2020-21 campaign, scoring 21 times and assisting 15, but missed a penalty during England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

But Rashford has said he has learnt to deal with the highs and the lows and that a previous conversation when Van Gaal was in charge at Old Trafford has helped him to ‘balance’ his emotions.

“I think it was Louis Van Gaal that said to me ‘Whether you win or lose it’s important to keep a balance’,” Rashford told Sky Sports News.

“You can’t be too high when you win and you cannot be too low when you lose, otherwise your emotions would be too up and down.

“The worst thing, obviously was going to the Euros and not really getting game time, and then the incident in the final, which can happen in football to anybody.

“After that it was about getting myself back into 100% condition and that’s what I did.

“Now I am just looking forward to the future and hopefully getting more opportunities in big moments like the Euros.”

Rashford started for United on Monday night as they were held by Newcastle United at St James’ Park as Edinson Cavani came off the bench to rescue a point for Ralf Rangnick’s side.

The lacklustre performance leaves United seven points adrift of the final Champions League spot, which is currently occupied by Arsenal.

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