It took a long time coming, but Marcus Rashford scored his first goal at Old Trafford since May during Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag’s side could probably count themselves lucky because, on the balance of play, it was Ange Postecoglou’s men who were the better team.
But there were still a lot of positives to take from the game for Manchester United, including the performance of Marcus Rashford.
Tim Sherwood highlighted how the Old Trafford crowd were giving him ‘a lot of stick’ before he scored because they felt there was a ‘lazy’ element to his game, as he told Premier League Productions (14/01/24 at 5:30 pm).
But the former Premier League boss made it clear that he wants Marcus Rashford to be ‘as lazy as possible’ because he was dropping too deep during the game.
Given how high and aggressive Tottenham’s fullbacks play, if you don’t put them on a leash, then they will seriously hurt you and Pedro Porro was doing that all match.
And that’s what was happening yesterday, hence Marcus Rashford, especially in the second half, doing more tracking back than usual.
Marcus Rashford and Old Trafford crowd
“I like him high,” said Sherwood. “He shouldn’t worry about Pedro Porro. I think it’s up to the three midfield players to shuffle across and deal with that.
“Keep Marcus up the field, conserving his energy for when he gets the ball in the final third. The crowd have a go at him at the first instant and here as well because he gives up there (when chasing the ball). I want him up the field.
“What is he good at? Doing this (running in behind). This is what Marcus does – he looks to link up with Hojlund. It’s the worst one-two you are ever going to see, but he manages to get his shot away and slides it into the bottom corner.
“But he took a lot of stick, even in the first half with his home fans. They don’t appreciate it because everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon that he is lazy. I want him to be as lazy as he possibly can be. See his hand gesture there. He is telling the crowd there to ‘shut up’. He is basically saying ‘you keep shouting at me, but I am going to continue to produce’.”
Marcus Rashford’s form
One thing the England international can’t argue about is his lack of form this season because he simply hasn’t been on it.
When Tottenham’s main guy – Son Heung-min, who is away on international duty – has 12 Premier League goals to his name, but you only have four goals, then that says it all.
That’s the elite end of the Premier League and Rashford’s name is nowhere near it.
But, in recent weeks, things have been looking far better for the speedster, but that now needs to continue during these coming months as Man United chase Champions League football.
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