Q&A with Marcus Rashford on The Journey - FIFA 17

Powered by Frostbite™, EA SPORTS FIFA 17's The Journey for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC lets you make your mark on and off the pitch as Alex Hunter, a rising star in the Premier League.

After bursting on to the international scene earlier this year, EA SPORTS caught up with Marcus Rashford for an exclusive insight into his Journey to becoming a professional footballer.

EA SPORTS: You just watched some early scenes from the Journey in FIFA 17, what are your thoughts?

MR : I think it’s important that we get it into the game as it gives people at home an insight into what it’s like coming through as a professional footballer.

EA SPORTS: Does it remind your of your experience?

MR : Yeah it definitely reminds me of my experience, when you see Alex go into the manager’s office you don’t know what he’s going to say or what it’s going to be like, so it brings back memories.

EA SPORTS: Did it remind you of your managers office?

MR : Yeah definitely, he walks in and that’s actually what it’s like, it’s giving a realistic impression.

EA SPORTS: In ‘The Journey’ Alex has to choose which club he wants to sign for, can you just talk us through your decision to join your club?

MR : For me it was an easy decision because I support (Manchester) United and was involved at the Club from a young age.

EA SPORTS: In one scene we see Alex receiving texts messages and calls after a big announcement. Is that realistic? Do you monitor social media and reports online?

MR : Kind of, but you’ve got to do your best to block that out to be honest and just focus on playing and training.

EA SPORTS: When it comes to establishing yourself in a group of experienced players, does Alex’s experience mirror yours? Tell us what that’s like be the new guy in the squad?

MR : Its just about getting yourself in there, you’ve got to be yourself because that’s what got you there, so if you start changing you’re not going to experience it in the right way. There’s also a lot to learn from the experienced players, there’s a reason they’ve been at the top level for so long.

EA SPORTS: How do you think people will react to putting themselves in the shoes of a young Premier League player like Marcus Rashford and experiencing what you’ve been through?

MR : It’s something you (EA) have made possible in The Journey so I think a lot of people will be using it and looking forward to it.

EA SPORTS: Does watching Alex Hunter bring back memories of your debut and initial games?

MR : Yeah, definitely – there’s a real buzz and excitement around those matches and they are great memories for me.

EA SPORTS: You’ve been on an incredible journey these last few months, can you tell us how hard it is as a young English player to break into the league? Tell us a bit about what that journey was like?

MR : I was training and playing with the under 18s and under 21s. When I was called up to train with the first team I had to make sure I kept my performance consistent and then when you get your chance you’ve got to make sure you take it because you might not get another one. It’s important you show the manager what you can do.

EA SPORTS: When you watched what Alex’s is going through are there similarities to your struggles and also the satisfaction of your success?

MR : There are ups and down for all footballers and that’s shown in Alex’s journey. I just have to try to stay level throughout and not get too high when things are going well or too low when things aren’t quite as good.

EA SPORTS: By the end are you thinking, this Hunter, he’s in the league, I could line up against him next Saturday?

MR : Yeah definitely that’s the feeling it has on you, its what happens in real life so its only good for the game.

EA SPORTS: Watching those scenes, do you feel that this takes you behind the scenes and gives you a glimpse of what life is like for a modern day premier league footballer?

MR : Yeah you see Alex at home with his grandparents, his mum and his dad and that’s what its like, sometimes when you're down you need them to pick you back up and sometimes when you're up you need them to help keep your feet on the ground. So its what its like in real life.

EA SPORTS: And that’s fascinating isn’t it because the public focus on what goes on on the pitch but perhaps what they don’t always appreciate is all the hard yards, the blood, sweat and tears that goes into making it away from the pitch, and the sacrifices that you make physically but also emotionally?

MR : The fans see the glory, they see you scoring a goal or winning a tournament, they don’t always see what you’ve done to get there behind the scenes, so its good that this is included.

EA SPORTS: What does it mean to you to represent your country?

MR : It means a lot to me to represent my country at any level, it’s an honour to do so, but to do it at senior level it’s a big thing so I am just glad to be given the opportunity.

Pre-order FIFA 17 Super Deluxe Edition and get up to 40 FIFA Ultimate Team Jumbo Premium Gold Packs, Team of the Week loan players, and other great FUT content! Click here to read about all our available pre-order offers.

Stay in the conversation on all things FIFA by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Sign-up to receive emails about EA SPORTS FIFA and EA products, news, events and promotions.