'It's brilliant to be back'

Phil Marsh, a member of the Manchester United youth team, broke his leg and shoulder in January when the Honda Civic car he was a passenger in crashed near to the club's Carrington training complex.

The car was so badly wrecked that fire crews needed more than an hour to cut Phil free before he was airlifted to hospital.

Since then the 17-year-old former Cowley High pupil has undergone months of intense physiotherapy and rehabilitation work to regain his fitness and on Saturday made his comeback as substitute in United under 18s' 4-3 win over Sheffield United.

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Afterwards Phil, whose family live in North Road, St Helens, said: "I'm made up to be back and involved with the matches. I've been out for such a long time - it's brilliant to be back.

"I just could not wait to get back on the pitch again and it just shows how much it means to me that I want to get out there and play again".

Phil, a strong, pacy forward in the second year of apprenticeship scheme with the Manchester giants, admitted it had been a frustrating spell on the sidelines and the leg break was a bad injury to come back from.

But he says he is determined to prove himself again. "I was doing well at the end of last year and the injury was a big setback for me. I want to get back playing and show everyone what I can do again".

He also thanked friends, family and the football club for their support, adding: "I want to say a big thank-you to everyone who has helped me - I couldn't have asked for anymore".

Phil's dad, Ste (51) said: "We're really made up he's back, he's done a an awful lot of hard work with physios, but has just done what they said and not moaned one bit. It's all about getting his confidence back now".