Marcus Rashford took part in a rare Q&A with Manchester United supporters at Old Trafford before Tuesday evening's 3-2 Champions League comeback against Roma, speaking publicly for the first time since his return from Barcelona.
The forward spoke to fans in the Ambassadors' Lounge as part of a premium hospitality package costing around £2,500. The experience includes seats one row behind the United dugout, a meet-and-greet, a five-course meal, behind-the-scenes access and a live Q&A. Guests also have access to a reserved area where they can welcome the squad as the team bus arrives.
United describe the package on their official website as a 'luxury' matchday experience. Rashford missed a fourth consecutive match on Tuesday as he continues to recover from hip and thigh injuries, leaving Michael Carrick without the winger once again.
First Public Appearance Since Barcelona Return
Having largely stayed out of the media spotlight in recent years, the 29-year-old made his first public appearance since returning to United after Barcelona opted against making last season's loan move permanent.
Rashford appeared relaxed during the session, which began with questions from a compere before supporters were invited to ask their own.
Asked about his 138 goals for Manchester United and whether he keeps a record of them at home, Rashford said: "No, I don't, because I expected my United career to go differently to how it did, so you know initially I wanted to try and get as close as possible to Wazza's record, but it's not the way it worked out, but I definitely remember the goals I scored."
Reflections on Debut and Social Media
Recalling his debut at Old Trafford against Arsenal, where he scored a brace, Rashford said: "I still think to this day like I couldn't describe my feelings, just like my life pretty much just changed instantly. Like before, well, the month before those games, I could still go to the arcade at the Trafford Centre.
"We used to go with my friends after the cinema, we used to go to the arcade. And yeah, just little stuff like that, like the next time after that we tried to go and then it was just impossible, so."
On the pressure of being a role model, Rashford said: "I don't see it as pressure, I just think like for me anyway, like I can only explain it from my experiences. So, I'm just a normal kid from around Manchester and, like to be honest, I've not been on social media since I was like 21, because the way I see it is it's more of a negative place than a positive place.
"But as a player, 80 per cent of it, there's no point. If you can have 20 per cent of it, and you have fun with your friends on there, then it's worth it. Yeah, but for me it's like, I enjoy all parts of my journey at this club. Of course we want to win as many trophies as we can.
"But we won the trophies that we could win. We tried our best throughout the whole time I've been here. So I'm not the type of person to leave with regrets or anything like that. I know if I've tried my best, then we did."
On Idols and World Cup Disappointment
Asked if he had ever been in awe of anyone he has taken to the pitch with, Rashford said: "Not in awe, like that's just not like the type of person I am. As a kid, I was quite shy, and I still am, I don't really like talking to people. So I wouldn't have been in awe if I'd seen anyone in person.
"I had an idol, Wayne Rooney, and then when I watched Cristiano, I started to idolise him too. So I had idols, but I never wanted to be like my idol, if that makes sense? I always wanted to be me but try and take pieces of them and yeah trying to implement it into my own way."
Reflecting on England's World Cup semi-final exit, Rashford said: "The semi-final was tough, but it is what it is. First half was good. We kept obviously the most dangerous player, we kept him (quiet).
"I thought the midfielders especially did a brilliant job with him. And then for us it all really started to change from after we got the goal I think. You know, some decision-making and actually the players on the pitch.
"Maybe it's difficult, a high-pressure game and you've just scored, and you should be on the front foot, and it didn't go like that. After we scored, we were on the back foot. So you have to try and manage it and settle it back down in order to keep moving the game forward and I just think we didn't manage to do that, but."
Messi and Yamal Praise
Asked whether Lionel Messi's performance was the key point for the Ballon d'Or and whether he deserved to win it again, Rashford said: "Yeah, Messi is Messi. Like, he's a genius. Yeah, I don't know, but it's not my job to rank him in the Ballon d'Or. For me, Messi is a genius, like he's an incredible player.
"You'll probably never see another player in our lifetime in terms of like complete genius like Leo, but of course, Harry Kane won the award and it's an individual award and he scored stupid amount of goals this year and stupid amount of assists. So in my opinion, he deserved to win it this year.
"So I actually texted him the other day, and I said it's well deserved. Like I don't think it's like a surprise that he won it. I think, number-wise, and you know what he won with the club, and he deserved to win it this year."
Asked about his conversation with Lamine Yamal at Barcelona regarding the award, Rashford said: "Yes, I talked to Lamine, not after the awards but before. And before I left Barcelona, I told him I've played with some talented, talented players, but he's above them all.
"I've never seen a player at that age be as talented as what he is. So for me, yeah, I've never said this out to the media before, but for me, he's the closest somebody can get to the level of Messi over the years.
"It's only my opinion, but yeah, I believe in this guy's talent so much. So yeah, I text him and just let him know, listen, he's what, he has finished second, third, and third.
"So he's finished second place, third place, and eighth place so far. And at the age of what, 19? So we'll see what he does, but if he goes on to win seven Ballons d'Or, I wouldn't be surprised."
