United's Rashford Returns to Full Training after Shoulder Operation

Marcus Rashford. (Reuters)
Marcus Rashford. (Reuters)
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United's Rashford Returns to Full Training after Shoulder Operation

Marcus Rashford. (Reuters)
Marcus Rashford. (Reuters)

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford returned to full training after a recent shoulder operation and should be available after the international break, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

Rashford said in August he had undergone surgery on a shoulder injury, which he picked up during the latter part of the 2020-21 season.

The injury cut short his game time, with the 23-year-old playing only a limited role with England during their run to the Euro 2020 final in July, where they lost to champions Italy.

"Marcus trained fully for the first time today (Friday) with contact," Solskjaer said ahead of Saturday's Premier League home game with Everton.

"There were a few tackles flying in on him and he seemed okay, which was nice to see. Marcus is fit, he's worked really hard, but he's not had any contact (until now).

"If his shoulder can take the contact now, he should be ready after the internationals."

The international break begins on Monday, with United returning to action in the league on Oct. 16 against Leicester City.

Defender Luke Shaw, who suffered a shoulder injury in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa, will undergo a late fitness test for Saturday's game. He also missed Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League win over Villarreal due to illness.

"Luke feels better in himself. He's been ill but he's still got the shoulder injury," Solskjaer said. "We've got to make a decision on him."

United are fourth in the league standings on 13 points on goal difference, one point behind leaders Liverpool.



Former Poland Goalkeeper Szczesny Joins Barcelona after Announcing His Retirement in August

FC Barcelona's President Laporta, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and vice President Rafael Yuste hold Barcelona shirt following Szczesny's signing in Barcelona, Spain, October 2, 2024. (FC Barcelona/Handout via Reuters)
FC Barcelona's President Laporta, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and vice President Rafael Yuste hold Barcelona shirt following Szczesny's signing in Barcelona, Spain, October 2, 2024. (FC Barcelona/Handout via Reuters)
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Former Poland Goalkeeper Szczesny Joins Barcelona after Announcing His Retirement in August

FC Barcelona's President Laporta, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and vice President Rafael Yuste hold Barcelona shirt following Szczesny's signing in Barcelona, Spain, October 2, 2024. (FC Barcelona/Handout via Reuters)
FC Barcelona's President Laporta, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and vice President Rafael Yuste hold Barcelona shirt following Szczesny's signing in Barcelona, Spain, October 2, 2024. (FC Barcelona/Handout via Reuters)

Barcelona added former Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to its squad on Wednesday to help make up for the absence of the injured Marc-André ter Stegen.

Szczesny had retired from professional soccer in August after leaving Italian club Juventus, but he said it would be “stupid” not to accept the Barcelona offer.

He said former Poland teammate Robert Lewandowski played a big part in the signing as the Barcelona striker was “probably the very first person that called” to ask Szczesny if there was a possibility of coming out of retirement.

“It took some convincing,” Szczesny said. “At the start I wasn’t sure if I’m ready for new challenges, but then I spoke with my family and I spoke with my friends and everybody told me how stupid I would be if I didn’t accept this. And I agreed with them.”

Barcelona said the 34-year-old Szczesny arrives “in unusual circumstances but there is no doubt that his CV speaks for itself.”

“It's a very proud moment,” Szczesny said. “I was honestly ready for retirement and I was happy there. I wouldn't do this for anybody else. It's exciting, it's a challenge for me, and it's a challenge that I face with a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm. I'm ready for it.”

Barcelona said it had reached a deal for Szczesny to stay until the end of the season.

Ter Stegen, one of the team's captains, had surgery after rupturing a tendon in his right knee in a Spanish league game and is expected to be sidelined for several months.

Iñaki Peña has been Barcelona’s starter in goal since Ter Stegen got injured last month. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has backed the 25-year-old Peña but said the club would look to add an experienced goalkeeper to the squad.

Szczesny attended Barcelona's 5-0 win over Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday, watching the match from a VIP section at the Montjuic stadium.

Szczesny, who also starred for Arsenal, made 84 appearances for Poland, including at this year's European Championship. He featured in two World Cups and four Euros.