There are some players you could describe as a ‘scorer of great goals’. One Manchester United player in particular certainly falls into that category.
But Roy Keane feels that if he is to reach the next level and go from a very, very good player to a truly world-class one, Marcus Rashford must develop beyond a ‘scorer of great goals’ and into a ‘great goalscorer’ too.
You could make quite the compilation of Rashford wondergoals.
But while Manchester United’s number ten is famed for cutting in from the left and fizzing trademark shots which threaten to send the net flying onto the M52, the 26-year-old’s overall tally would be improved immeasurably by the addition of a few scrappy tap-ins.
With the goal at his mercy – following a superb Alejandro Garnacho pass – Rashford sliced the ball onto the post rather than into the back of Ederson’s goal as the time ticked down at Wembley.
This was the second more-than-presentable chance Rashford squandered on the day. Towards the end of the first-half, he drifted away from the City backline but curled well wide of the far post.
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Marcus Rashford misses cost Manchester United
“We have seen Rashford score some great goals. (But) he has got to become a scorer of those chances,” Keane told ITV Sport (10 August, 5.30pm) after the Carrington kid was twice found wanting in the final third.
“Be clinical. You have got to hit the target and make the goalkeeper save it. You’ve got to hit the target.”
Even during his career-best 2022/23 season – when Rashford became the first Man United player since Robin van Persie to hit 30 in a single campaign – a lot of his efforts came as the result of sparkling individual brilliance.
Ian Wright, a terrific goalscorer in his own playing days, feels that Rashford’s second miss of the day in particular was down to poor technique.
“He has got to at least hit the target,” explains the Arsenal legend, feeling that Rashford rushed a left-footed finish when he could have taken it on his favoured right with a dash more composure.
“He has got enough time to run around it with his right foot. You can see the hesitation when its coming. There’s enough time for him to run round onto his right foot. He’s not in the right position (to put it in the back of the net) because he is in two minds.”
Erik ten Hag defends forward after Wembley wastefulness
Manager Erik ten Hag dismisses the idea that Rashford is a player low on confidence, however.
Despite only tallying eight goals last season and missing out on the England squad for the European Championships – incurring questions about huis fuutre even from the likes of Wayne Rooney – Rashford has looked very sharp in pre-season.
His all-round game was impressive against City too, only the final touch missing.
“I think he was several times in very good positions,” Ten Hag argues. “I am very pleased he is getting in those positions.
“(Rashford needs to) keep going and keep getting in those positions, and he will score goals.”
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