MAX TAYLOR has revealed the story behind his brave comeback from cancer treatment to reaching the Manchester United first-team.
When the Red Devils travel to Kazakhstan for a Europa League tie with Astana, the 19-year-old defender will form part of the matchday squad for the first time.
Only last month, Taylor came off the bench to play for the Under-23s in his first appearance since being diagnosed in the summer of 2018.
A lump on his testicle was initially treated with antibiotics but quickly came back and was revealed to be something much more sinister.
Taylor recalled to MUTV:[The doctor] sent me off for a scan just to make sure everything was alright. Then it was at the scan when they found a cancer-looking area right in the middle.
“We all broke down when we first got told, my mum, my stepdad and I.
“Because, obviously, Im 18 and playing. Im in a bubble, you dont think that any other news concerning anything other than football would come, especially something that you know is life threatening.
“When you hear the word, its almost like how is that possible? You start thinking of the worst.
“Instantly, you just think worst-case scenario, which to anyone when they hear the word cancer is will you live?”
The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in Taylor’s abdomen and, in October of last year, he began chemotherapy.
That was followed by“quite a risky operation” to extract the three problematic glands before the teenager was given the all-clear in February.
Taylor added: “That was a massive relief. You just think: Oh my God, finally. That is everything.”
A return to training saw the player as motivated as ever. His diagnosis had come just after signing a first professional deal having joined in 2014.
The boyhood United fan had previously helped the Under-18s side claim the Premier League North trophy despite a disruptive ankle ligament injury.
On his gradual return to the first-team, Taylor insisted “you push yourself” with the dream of a first-team place back on the table.
And he insists he doesn’t want the cancer episode to define him having been named part of the travelling party for Thursday’s game.
Taylor continued: “Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] was asking how I am and about normal things, which was nice because I didnt want it to be about the treatment.
“At that stage, youre sick of telling people. You want to put it behind you and focus on the next stage.
“I wanted to get away from it, I knew it would still be there but I wanted to push on to the next challenge.
“I dont want it to define me. Id rather it be a part of me and then whether its my football or how I am as a person, all combines to define me. I dont want it to be a case of its the cancer that defines me.
“Next is Im planning to get regular football, whether it be in the Under-23s or on loan or whatever. My ultimate goal is to play for the first team here.”
Fans can see if Taylor makes his Red Devils debut when the side kick-off in Nur-Sultan at 3.50pm tomorrow.
