Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has challenged Marcus Rashford to start producing his goalscoring performances on a “regular basis”.
Old Trafford erupted when the England international came off the bench to tap home a last-gasp winner against top-four rivals West Ham on Saturday.
It was Rashford’s second goal in the space of four days, following up from his strike against Brentford after coming off the bench.
The 24-year-old broke an a 11-game drought against the Bees, a run that stretched back to 30 October when he scored against Tottenham, which again came via the substitutes bench.
In fact, all four of Rashford’s Premier League goals this season have come via cameo appearances, with his first coming against Leicester in his first match back after recovering from shoulder surgery.
His only goal which came when he started a match was in the 3-2 comeback win against Atalanta at Old Trafford, 10 days prior to his strike at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After a worrying run of form, which saw Rashford look a shadow of his former self, United’s number 10 looks re-energised and hungry to re-establish himself in Rangnick’s first choice 11.
But after losing his place in the side to talented youngster Anthony Elanga, Rangnick has said the onus is not only on Rashford to force his way back into the side, but to then retain the spot also.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Rangnick said: “We have a lot of wingers, we have a lot of outstanding players in that position.
“Jadon (Sancho) was not available but we have a lot of players for those two positions (striker and winger) and Marcus is one of them.
“Right now, yes, he has scored twice in consecutive games when he came from the bench but, of course, his ambition is to play regularly from the start again.
“It is up to him. If he continually plays on a high level and keeps scoring goals, of course this is the best way to get back into the team and play from the beginning.”
With Marcus Rashford’s slump now hopefully a thing of the past, Rangnick is hoping his rich vein of form in front of goal continues.
The 63-year-old added: “He is one of the top strikers in England. He is an English international who regular played in the Euros.
“We all know what kind of quality he has. He has got almost everything that a modern striker needs. He has got the pace, the skills, he has got the size, the physicality of the striker and in the end it is all about confidence for strikers.
“I am pretty sure that those two goals have raised the level of confidence within Marcus. Now it is about taking the next steps and showing that on a regular basis.
“It is about continuity now. I think he can play a very important role for the rest of the season for us.”
Marcus Rashford is currently training out in Dubai alongside Diogo Dalot and Jesse Lingard.
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