The spindly teenager who broke into Manchester United’s first team in 2015 has bulked up and become the club’s main man.
Marcus Rashford may have been a late replacement for an injured Anthony Martial against FC Midjtylland, but he has overtaken him and the rest of United’s squad.
Now with the strength of an elite-level striker and the pace that all of the best wingers have, Rashford is a consistent threat and force. Combined with his original technical ability that has rarely wavered, the English striker is in the best form of his career.
Rashford shows new side to game in big week
His last two games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, in which he scored three goals, have shown Rashford’s game to have changed. The return to the left forward position, initiated by Martial’s own return from injury against Norwich, has played a part in that. But more significantly, it’s Rashford physical improvement that is the change. He’s stronger and quicker.
In the 25th minute against Manchester City, after he’d already scored the penalty to put United ahead, Rashford opened his body up and took a first-time shot. He aimed for the bottom right corner and was some way off the mark. Ederson didn’t have to move. But the pace he showed to be involved in that move was the result of intense work in training.
In turn, it was intensely satisfying to watch. Talking in approximates, Rashford runs 70 metres (from the middle of his own half to the edge of the City penalty area) in six seconds. As he reaches the halfway line and is certain the counter-attack is on, he picks things up a notch.
Video: Rashford’s stunning pace on show
Bernardo Silva sees Rashford, but only his feet pounding the earth five metres in front of him. It’s the cruel dissection of a very good football team, facilitated by the pace of Rashford.
He’s been United’s fastest player in eight games this season (out of 16). Against Spurs he clocked more than 34km/hour. His fastest sprint came against Crystal Palace at 36.32km/hour. Usain Bolt’s average speed over the course of a 100m final was 37.58km/hour.
He’s always been a quick player, but it’s this combined pace and strength that is taking his game to new heights. He’s the youngest player in Europe’s top five leagues to net 10 goals this season. It’s not Erling Haaland. Nor is it Timo Werner. Not Kai Havertz either. Rashford.
Rashford is United’s main man and their future
Unlike in previous seasons, Rashford now causes a constant fear in the opposition sides. He is the man, not £89m Pogba, £80m Maguire or £36m Martial, that United will build their future around. There’s a reason Barcelona were interested in the summer. There’s a reason that United handed him a big new contract.
He wasn’t United’s best player against City, though he was versus Spurs. He provides attacking verve and pace, and now serious quality backed up by the physical attributes of an elite-level striker.
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