Rashford has gone back to basics

Tuesday 27 September 2022 09:19

Legendary Manchester United striker Andy Cole knows a thing or two about scoring goals.

Our former no.9 was pivotal to our success after signing in 1995, forming that devastating partnership with Dwight Yorke which brought United many goals - and many trophies.

Following Saturday’s Legends of the North second leg, in which Cole assisted manager Andy Ritchie - just as he did with Bryan Robson in the first leg - our ex-striker offered his opinion on the current form of Reds forward Marcus Rashford.

Rashy's 2022/23 goals and assists Video

Rashy's 2022/23 goals and assists

Marcus has scored three goals and registered two assists so far this campaign...

“It’s nice to see [Rashford doing well],” he said. “He’s got the confidence back, [he’s] scoring goals. I think he’ll be really happy with that.

“If he can propel Manchester United forward this season, gets us into – I’m not sure what position we are going to end up in exactly, but if we can finish in the top four, it’ll be good.”

Rashford has been a headache for his opponents this term, leading the line brilliantly following Anthony Martial’s injury.

The England international's early-season form culminated in him being nominated for the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for September, following his two goals and an assist in our 3-1 victory over Arsenal.

Cole believes that the reason behind Marcus's success so far this season is that the striker has gone back to basics.

“It’s the first time we’ve seen Marcus run in behind and stretch teams since he first got into the first team,” said our former no.9. “I think he went away from his strengths [last season], which was stretching teams.

“If you look at how he’s playing now to when he first got into the team, people will turn around and say, ‘that’s the Marcus Rashford of old.’

“If he sticks to that, he’ll score goals.”

Rashford up for Premier League prize

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Marcus is in the running for September's award after his exploits this month.

Rashford was on the cusp of Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squad when an injury ruled him out of the Three Lions’ UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Germany.

But Cole believes that, regardless of whether Southgate would have picked the attacker for those matches or not, Rashford can stake his claim for a place on the plane to Qatar between now and the winter World Cup.

“You’d believe that [he can play for England in Qatar this year]," he said. "But I think the only person you can ask about the World Cup squad is him [Southgate].

“Your bread and butter is always your club football, and if you do well for them, you’ve always got a chance.”

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