Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand thinks that Marcus Rashford will be confused over his lack of playing minutes.
Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score a ninety second minute winner in Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Hull City at the KCOM Stadium. It seemed that the contest would end goalless, but the United wonder-kid stepped up to the occasion and wrote the headlines.
Rashford, 18, burst on to the scene last season during a UEFA Europa League tie against Midtjylland. The English striker scored two goals on debut and received an euphoric response from the Old Trafford faithful.
He replicated a similar feat against Arsenal only four days after his first game for the club and guided United to a 3-2 victory. Due to the Red Devils’ lack of quality strikers at the time, an 18-year-old Marcus Rashford became the club’s first choice until the end of the season.
However, after a disappointing 5th placed league finish last season, new manager Jose Mourinho decided to rope in quality players and brought in one of the world’s most prolific strikers in Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Since his arrival, the Swede has started in all four of United’s matches and has grabbed as many goals for his side. Due to his presence in the side, Rashford has found himself warming the bench at Old Trafford.
Coming on for his first game of the season against Hull City, Rashford proved his mettle and showed Mourinho what kind of striker he actually was. His performances undoubtedly won over the fans, but a certain United great was awfully pleased by the 18-year-old’s heroics.
Marcus Rashford’s match stats vs Hull:
89% pass accuracy
3 shots
1 take-on completed
1 chance created
1 goal#MUFC— Devils Latest (@Devils_Latest) August 27, 2016
During his post-match analysis on BT Sport, Rio Ferdinand stated Rashford’s importance to the side and explained why he would be confused that he hasn’t played a part in any of his side’s league games this season.
“Look at Rashford penetrating the six yard box there, he must be sitting there scratching his head thinking how can I have no minutes in the PL in the first three games after what I’ve done over the summer and last season.
“But it’s a great message to young kids; his head isn’t down, he isn’t sulking. He’s come on with that spark, the bright spark. Him and [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan were the bright spark in the second half that changed the game for Man Utd,” said the Manchester United legend.
Rashford’s impressive 19-minute cameo will now put him in contention for a start in the Manchester derby which is on the 10th of September. Mourinho confirmed that the 18-year-old can play alongside Ibrahimovic, and a probable formation change might be on the cards for the Red Devils.
