Marcus Rashford has reacted to Ashley Young’s heart-warming post on social media after Manchester United’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes fired Manchester United into the lead from a penalty in the 12th minute before Marcus Rashford converted from the spot-kick in the 36th minute.
The Red Devils secured all three points from Saturday’s contest at Old Trafford, as Erik ten Hag’s men continue to push for a top-four Premier League challenge.
Ashley Young came off the bench in the second half for Everton and replaced midfielder James Garner, who came through the United youth academy.
The 38-year-old Everton player received a heartfelt reception from the Old Trafford faithful, having spent nine years of his club playing career at United.
Young was brought to Old Trafford in 2011 from Aston Villa and lifted a Premier League title under legendary former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The ex-England international later inherited the captain’s armband – succeeding Antonio Valencia in the role – under former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Young’s post and Rashford’s reaction
Ashley Young left Old Trafford in 2020 and went on to briefly play for Serie A side Inter Milan before returning to Aston Villa for a second spell in 2021.
The former Manchester United skipper became a free agent at the end of last season after his Aston Villa contract expired.
Young was snapped up by Everton last summer and the ex-Inter Milan and Villa star has made 24 appearances across all competitions for Sean Dyche’s men this season.
The former Three Lions international took to Instagram after the United match and shared a photo of himself alongside Marcus Rashford on the pitch.
“Not the result we wanted,” Young wrote to his 2.6m followers.
“Take the positives and we go again. Thanks for such a great reception.
“Also good to see The Boss [Sir Alex Ferguson] and Jimmy Kinsella aka [Emmett J Scanlan].”
Rashford acknowledged Young’s post by liking it and leaving a heart emoji in the comments.
Why Rashford took a penalty vs Everton
Despite being United’s designated penalty taker, Bruno Fernandes admitted he was more than “confident” when Rashford stepped up for the spot-kick against Everton.
“Obviously, as I said many times, we have more than one penalty taker and we have a list in the dressing room,” he told MUTV, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“Marcus is the second name as a penalty taker and I am more than confident whenever Marcus steps up to take a penalty.
“I am more than confident that he can have the same effect as me. I did score the first one but I felt that with the second one, we should have changed because it then moves the mind a little bit of the goalkeeper.
“He has to move differently, he has to adapt to a different kind of penalty taker, so I think it was the best decision for the team in order to help us get another goal.
“It was not because I wasn’t confident I would score, because I was, but because I spoke to Marcus and asked him if he wanted to take it.
“He said, ‘I would be happy to take one,’ so I said, ‘Go ahead.’”
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