Marcus Rashford’s private football coach is a former Manchester United academy player who works with many top-tier athletes in the sport.
The United striker has had a tricky start to the season, failing to contribute any goals in three Premier League matches so far. The Red Devils have only managed one victory this season against Fulham on the opening day – before suffering a last-minute 2-1 loss to Brighton and a 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.
Despite starting every single game so far, the 26-year-old has faced criticism from some fans. However, Rashford has been putting in extra hours away from team training in private sessions, and his personal coach is a former academy player who used to play professional football.
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So, who is this football whizz that Rashford has been training with, who also includes the likes of Kai Rooney and Bruno Fernandes among his client pool?
Who is Ryan Hopper?
Ryan Hopper is a private football coach who trains some of Manchester’s biggest stars, including fellow academy graduate Rashford. Hopper was part of the United academy from the ages of six to 14 and went on to play professional football for Accrington Stanley in League Two as a teenager.
The now-30-year-old also had a loan spell at Droylsden, and made 33 appearances for seventh tier side Mossley. These days, Hopper is a private football coach to the stars, earning respect from some of the top players.
The ex-midfielder, known as ‘RH’ on social media, has been seen coaching Rashford throughout the summer and into the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Who else does Hopper coach?
Hopper’s clientele extends beyond Rashford, including many other professional footballers based in and around Manchester, some of whom are Rashford’s United team-mates.
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Other clients include Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and former United winger Anthony Elanga – who now plays for Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
Ella Toone, who plays for the United Women’s team, is also a client of Hopper’s and has been seen putting in the work ahead of the Women’s Premier League starting on Friday, September 20.
In addition to respected professional footballers, Hopper also works with elite academy prospects – including Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai Rooney. The 14-year-old is part of United’s academy and has been featured on Hopper’s Instagram page striking the ball – in a way that fans have likened to his father.
Other academy stars such as Manchester City’s Jaden Heskey and United’s Dan Gore have been spotted on the coach’s social media page.
What kind of training does Rashford do with Hopper?
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In his latest Instagram posts, Marcus Rashford has been sharing the intense training regime that coach Hopper puts him through, showcasing everything from gym-based strength and conditioning to on-pitch shooting drills.
With the caption “Raw material”, the 26-year-old England international is seen honing his striking skills from outside the box, perfecting turning drills, and syncing up his passing game with Hopper.
Rashford also gave fans a peek at his boxing moves, footwork drills, and plyometric exercises that are used to boost his stamina and fitness levels.