Marcus Rashford has admitted stopping Manchester City from emulating Manchester United’s historic Treble-winning campaign is ‘the most important thing’ ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final.
United and City are set to go head to head in the first all-Manchester FA Cup final at Wembley this weekend, where Rashford and Co will try to prevent their bitter rivals from creating history.
Pep Guardiola’s men have already retained the Premier League title this season, yet a famous Treble is also in their sights with a Champions League final against Inter Milan to come on June 10.
Getting the better of United at Wembley on Saturday would leave City on the cusp of history, with their neighbours the only English team ever to win all three major trophies in one season – when Sir Alex Ferguson led the club to glory in 1998-99.
And while Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils can round off a superb season of their own by winning the FA Cup, having already clinched the League Cup and Champions League qualification, Rashford says his driving force is stopping City in their tracks.
During their end-of-season awards ceremony on Monday night, the England forward said ahead of Saturday’s final: ‘Ensuring Man United remain the only English club to do The Treble? That’s the most important thing.’
Rashford was named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at United’s awards ceremony on Monday.
The 25-year-old was duly rewarded at the end of a remarkable individual season, which saw him score 30 goals in 55 appearances across all competitions.
As a result, he has become the first ever United academy graduate to go on and become their senior Player of the Year, yet Rashford still believes there was room for improvement.
‘It’s obviously a proud moment,’ he said. ‘I feel I should have scored a few more, but, you know, there’s always room for improvement.
‘That’s what I’ve been looking to do for next season. I’m pleased with how it went, but I’m looking forward to improve and hopefully getting better numbers in that next season.’
On becoming the first academy graduate to scoop the Player of the Year prize, Rashford added: ‘I feel a huge sense of pride. I just hope that more academy players can go on and win this award and feel what I’m feeling right now on the stage.
‘The main reason why I came back into the season in the condition I was because that was probably my first summer where I was off.
‘I was just hungry to get started with the new manager [and] new staff. In my mind I just had a positive feeling and based of this season, I wasn’t wrong, but I hope we can keep pushing and keep moving forward. I’m very happy. Very pleased. I just want to say a big thanks to [my] team-mates [and] staff because without them pushing you every day in training you don’t get to see the best version of me.
‘I appreciate all of you guys and thank you very much.’
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Source: dailymail
