Marcus Rashford scores twice in Man Utd behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn to mark return from injury

MARCUS RASHFORD netted twice as the Manchester United striker confirmed his return to fitness in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn.

The England forward, 23, played his first match sine the Euro 2020 final following shoulder surgery, having only returned to full training last Friday.

Rashford has been troubled by a dodgy shoulder from last autumn but is now regarded as having totally shaken off the problem.

And his double in the match at Carrington on Wednesday afternoon backed up Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's suggestion Rashford will be available for a Premier League comeback straight after the international break.

Rashford earlier got the all-clear for contact training with his team-mates on Friday.

And Solskjaer said "tackles were flying in" on the 46-cap star during that practice.

So appearing against Championship Rovers was another step-up.

United’s next game comes at Leicester next Saturday but United also face Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham in a pivotal run of fixtures.

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Team-mate Dean Henderson said Rashford has looked good since re-joining the group.

The goalkeeper said: “It's funny because he looks so sharp since he's come back from his shoulder injury and everything from last season.

“I think he was carrying a few knocks. So for him to come back, he looks back to his best and I'm really excited to see him out there.

“I think he is going to help the team a lot.

“I think he got obviously thrown in at a young age and didn't really get a break mentally to switch off,

“And I think it's given him time to do this. He will be hungrier than ever to get back out there and play again.

FRED AND CAVANI DOUBT

“I do honestly think, sometimes, that a break is great.

“It's helped me this summer and I'm sure it's helped him. I think he'll come back better than ever.”

United are facing the prospect of being without Fred and Edinson Cavani for the game at the King Power Stadium.

They face in each other in South America in the early hours of Friday morning English time - and then face a dash to get back to England in time to feature.

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