Marcus Rashford is one of many Manchester United players who needs a positive season.
The forward’s stock has fallen among United fans after a poor season when he scored only five goals in an injury-hit period under three managers where his team finished sixth.
He also lost his place in the England national team. The Mancunian striker had managed 21, 22 and 13, 13, 11 and eight goals in his previous seasons.
Rashford is only 24, but he’s entering his eighth term as a United first teamer. He’s being judged by his new manager, but he’s capable of fitting into the high pressing game demanded by Ten Hag.
The National caught up with him briefly after he’d played in the final game of United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.
How should United fans feel about this season after what they’ve seen on the tour?
We’ve tried to play our best football and I think the majority of the time that showed, but the real challenge is to do it when the season begins.
We’ve done a lot of work pre-season and other than not winning against Villa, it has been a positive trip without any injuries.
I’m looking forward to the season and I feel like we’re ready to go from the first game. I want the same support from the fans. It’s up to us put a smile on their faces again after last season.
Last season?
We know it didn’t go well. When you are losing games and you’re not picking points, it’s difficult to enjoy yourself on the pitch.
I’m my own harshest critic and I know when I’m not playing my best football and I know when I need to improve. I’ve reflected on that.
So how are you feeling now?
I’m in a good place mentally and physically. I feel really positive and I know I’m not the only one there. There’s a joined up feeling among players.
We want the season to start to show what we can do. Hopefully we can start the season off a lot better. We’re better players than what we showed last year.
What impression has Erik ten Hag made on you?
A positive one. He’s a positive manager who likes to play attacking football. Even when we’re defending he wants us to be on the front foot, to squeeze the pitch and press high up.
The players enjoy this because when we win the ball back we’re in a much better position to try to score. Had the pre-season been hard work? Yes, definitely. Do we enjoy it? Definitely.
Ten Hag has spoken well of the connection between the front players pre-season. Do you feel that?
I do and I expected it to be good, but I feel like we can do better, do more. Against Villa, we conceded a goal on a counter attack. There’s work to do there.
He wants the forward players to link up and it has been a good start under the new manager and we have to look to build on that. We have to keep improving.
Why should fans think this season will be any different from you than last season, for example?
This is only the second time since I became a professional footballer that I have had a full pre-season. I mean that in terms of rest and getting the work in. I feel really good in myself.
I had time to rest, to recover mentally and physically. It didn’t feel like last season just rolled into this one. I want to continue to feel how I feel now.
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
