Not many Manchester United players can hold their heads up high after yet another derby day defeat for the team.
But one man who played his part and got his side rolling against the all-dominant Manchester City was Marcus Rashford.
In a week where the Manchester United academy product hit the headlines again, this time for the criticism he receives, there were many hoping the 26-year-old does more talking on the field, than off it.
And when Marcus Rashford smashed in a quite stunning opener after just eight minutes at the Etihad, it was labelled ‘incredible’ by Michael Owen.
You just knew Marcus Rashford woke up on the right side of the bed, with Michael Owen adding that he has ‘quietened down a lot of people’, as he told Premier League Productions (03/03/24 at 4:25 pm).
After 75 minutes, the 26-year-old was hooked off by Erik ten Hag with what looked like an injury, with the scores, at the time, 1-1, before Phil Foden would go on to steal the show.
From a selfish standpoint, Marcus Rashford got the ball rolling for his team and provided the perfect start, it was just a case of them not being able to hold on and deal with the rest of the pressure around them.
Marcus Rashford’s goal v Manchester City
“It’s incredible,” said Owen. “He is a man in the headlines, isn’t het he, at the moment?!
“His teammates do really well. Bruno Fernandes does really well. He protects the ball and McTominay runs and clears the space, then it’s all about keeping your knee over the ball and striking it with as much power as possible.
“That quietened down a lot of people, and that’s what he has to do on the pitch.”
Marcus Rashford’s consistency
It’s all good Rashford scoring this goal, it once again proved, and many already knew it, what he is capable of when he is well and truly on it.
But even he will be well aware that he simply hasn’t been good enough for large parts of the season.
This is where Rashford needs to continue working his magic, like against relegation-threatened Everton on Saturday.
Manchester United are falling further and further behind the Champions League pack. 11 points now separate ten Hag’s men in sixth and in-form Aston Villa in fourth.
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