Lisandro Martinez praises Marcus Rashford after Manchester United’s 2-0 win against Tottenham

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has praised Marcus Rashford following his performance in the 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur.

After not being fit enough to start against Newcastle United on Sunday, the England international came back into the starting line-up to face Antonio Conte’s Spurs.

With Erik ten Hag favouring dynamism upfront against the north Londoners, the 24-year-old spearheaded United’s attack with the 37-year-old Crisitano Ronaldo dropping to the bench.

Despite proving to be the matchwinner in the same fixture seven months ago after netting a hat-trick, Ten Hag picking Rashford over the five-time Ballon d’Or winner highlights where Ronaldo stands in the Dutchman’s plans.

Lisandro Martinez praises Marcus Rashford

Rashford’s pace and willingness to run in-behind meant Tottenham’s backline were uncomfortable and were having to constantly look over their shoulders to see whether the Manchester United Academy graduate was.

United’s number ten had a great chance to open the scoring, but after being played through by Fred his effort was too close to Hugo Lloris who pushed his effort away to safety.

With United 2-0 to the good and Old Trafford booming, Rashford waltzed through the Spurs defence and smashed one of his trademark knuckleball shots, but again it was too close to the Frenchman.

Rashford remains United’s top scorer this season with five goals across all competitions and surely has done enough to form part of Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad, but his composure in front of goal remains hit and miss.

He missed a glorious chance at the death against Newcastle after heading Casemiro’s cross just wide of the post.

But after running the north Londoners ragged all evening, United’s top scorer received high praise from teammates Martinez and Bruno Fernandes.

Commenting on Rashford’s Instagram post, Fernandes said: “What a performance from you kid.” While Martinez said: “You are not normal bro.”

With Ronaldo leaving Old Trafford early without Ten Hag’s permission, it seems a formality that Rashford will lead the line on Saturday ahead of our number seven.