In what is becoming a bit of a weekly occurrence, two Manchester United players have been selected in the BBC team of the week.
Pundit Garth Crooks picked out Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford following Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Leeds at Elland Road.
The two players combined for the opening goal, with Shaw’s cross headed in by Rashford, who took his goalscoring tally up to 21 for the season.
Shaw now has four assists, with two coming in his last three games, having set Rashford up for his winner against Crystal Palace the previous week.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023
Two United stars named
Pundit Garth Crooks told BBC Sport he was impressed by both players, with Shaw beginning the game at centre-back.
He said: “I’m beginning to think Shaw looks more comfortable in central defence than he does at full-back.”
Crooks also pointed back to Shaw’s earlier struggles as a Manchester United player between 2016 and 2018, commenting: “Shaw has become a valued member of Erik ten Hag’s team in a way he wasn’t under Jose Mourinho.
“I wonder what Mourinho makes of Luke Shaw and United now.”
Shaw deserves credit for sticking at it through the tough times, and is one of United and England’s most consistent players.
His link-up with Rashford has been working well lately and the United forward is in the best form of his career.
Crooks made the connection between Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the club and United and Rashford’s form improving.
It must be said that Rashford was United’s top scorer this season before Ronaldo left – but he has certainly gone up a gear since the former number seven left the club.
Crooks said: “I think it is very telling that United’s results have continually improved since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and so has Rashford’s presence in the team.
“The England striker no longer has to play second fiddle to a player desperate to hang on to former glories who has far more interest in himself than the team. The problem has been removed and United look like a proper football team again.”