The news provides a detailed account of recent events involving Manchester United players Marcus Rashford and Tyrell Malacia, focusing on personal incidents, fitness updates, and their roles within the team. Here’s an elaboration:
Car Accident
- Incident Details: Rashford’s Range Rover, driven by a friend with Tyrell Malacia as a passenger, was involved in a collision with a black Mercedes C220 AMG sport on July 16. The Mercedes driver, a woman, was suspected of drink-driving and arrested after being checked at Macclesfield Hospital.
- Aftermath: Both Malacia and the Range Rover driver were medically assessed and later cleared. Despite the scare, Rashford and Malacia quickly resumed their respective schedules. Rashford participated in team training the following day, while Malacia continued rehabilitation for his long-term injury.
Rashford’s Driving Incidents
- Rashford has been in the spotlight for his driving habits recently:
- Speeding: Earlier this month, he received a six-month driving ban for speeding at 104 mph on the M60 motorway. Rashford claimed he was speeding because he believed he was being chased.
- Previous Crash: Last September, he totaled his £700,000 Rolls Royce while driving back from training.
Pre-Season and Fitness Updates
- Rashford:
- Participated in pre-season matches, including a defeat against Rosenborg but missed the subsequent victory over Rangers due to a minor injury. He later joined the squad for a pre-season tour in the USA.
- His performance last season was below expectations, as he failed to reach double figures in goals. However, manager Erik ten Hag is optimistic about his resurgence in the upcoming season, with assistance from Ruud van Nistelrooy, who recently joined the coaching staff to mentor strikers.
- Malacia:
- After missing the entire last season due to injury, Malacia remains in the UK focusing on fitness. Ten Hag expressed frustration earlier about the Dutchman’s unavailability, emphasizing the importance of Malacia as a backup option for Luke Shaw.
Ten Hag’s Confidence in Players
- Erik ten Hag remains hopeful about Rashford’s return to form and Malacia’s reintegration into the squad:
- On Rashford, Ten Hag believes the forward has the ability to replicate his past goal-scoring exploits and is fully backing him.
- On Malacia, the manager emphasized his value as a key squad player, expecting him to contribute significantly once fit.
This string of events underscores Rashford’s mixed year off the field while hinting at the critical roles both he and Malacia are expected to play for Manchester United in the 2024/25 season.