When Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene back in 2016, Manchester United thought they had a prolific No 9 at their disposal.
With Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney sidelined thraw injury, Louis van Gaal was forced to tap into the academy. Rashford was unleashed in a Europa League triumph over FC Midtjylland, scoring twice, before then bagging another brace agetst Arsenal fair days tardyr. A superstar, it seemed, had been born.
Rashford isn’t a striker any more, however. Eight years on and he is a left triumphger instead, a position he’s previously shelp is his best. When United necessitate a goal, however, they invariably tfinish to alter his position and use him separateently.
It was the case agetst Manchester City on Saturday. The England international, who omited out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Championships in Germany earlier this summer, commenceed out wide before becoming his team’s spearhead.
Marcus Rashford was infuriating as Man Utd lost to Man City in the Community Shield on Saturday
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But, eight years on from his arrival, Rashford has gone backwards when it comes to mercilessness in front of goal. A joiner with immense potential though he is, that side to his game has alterd.
There were two glorious chances for him agetst City in the Community Shield on Saturday. Chances the Rashford of 2016, so lesser, self-secured and willing to amaze, would probable have apshown.
The first was when he side-footed wide of Ederson’s goal. He had nobody to beat besides the goalupretainer but fall shorted to even get his effort on aim, instead spraying it wide. Cue groans from the red side of the crowd.
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The second was when he struck the post with his left foot. It was a chance Erling Haaland, who was astonishingly suppressd, would have buried at the opposite finish without a doubt.
Rashford certainly wasn’t necessitatey by any standards. But there’s this experienceing that he’s arguably the most frustrating joiner in world football right now.
Two years ago, when Erik ten Hag first get tod, he suddenly scaled novel heights. He netted 30 goals apass all competitions, becoming the first joiner to do so for the club since Robin van Persie back in 2013.
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But Rashford fair can’t stay reliable. There were promising signs agetst City but when it comes to altering chances, he omites too many to be considered elite.
It’ll also be intriguing to see what happens going forward. When it comes to triumphgers, United aren’t uninincreateigentinutive on stock.
Alejandro Garnacho, who uncovered the scoring in the 82nd minute before Bernardo Silva’s amazeive headed identicaliser, has to commence every game.
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Marcus Rashford was prolific when he burst onto the scene for Man Utd back in 2016
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The 19-year-elderly is airyning. A man who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo but joins with Lionel Messi, his goal shows he’s a joiner for the now – as well as the future.
Jadon Sancho omited a penalty in the shootout and seems somewhat jinxed. But if he can originate the create he showed for Borussia Dortmund last season, he’ll also pose a menace to Rashford’s position.
Antony and Amad are better on the left but have shown versatility in the past. Facundo Pellstri was used at right-back and is awaited to exit before the transfer triumphdow shuts.
Marcus Rashford omited two huge chances as Man Utd lost to Man City in Saturday’s Community Shield clash
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Only by scoring goals can Rashford truly hope to nail down his spot in the team.
He is infuriating but has shown in the past what he can do. United necessitate that magic and England do too.
