Football can be a beautiful game, but also a ruthless one, especially at the top of the Premier League.
Manchester United currently sit fifth in the table, partly thanks to the efforts of Marcus Rashford. After a worrying start to the season, the attacker has netted three times and provided two assists in the club’s four-game winning run.
He looks to have rediscovered his form of old in the space of a fortnight and has shown he still possesses the capabilities to lead the line and break behind defences. He’s scored the winning goals against the two top six opponents United have faced this season; Liverpool last month and Arsenal on Sunday.
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It’s got some fans debating whether the injured Anthony Martial would be kept out of the team upon his return by the in-form Rashford.
Antony enjoyed a dream debut following his £85m move from Ajax, netting the opening goal in the 3-1 win over Arsenal prior to Rashford’s double. He will almost certainly be a staple in Erik ten Hag’s side, as will Jadon Sancho, who has scored twice himself this season and occupies the left flank.
It means Rashford is in danger of seeing reduced minutes on the pitch if he doesn’t carry on his good form, especially with Ronaldo lurking on the bench. Of course, it creates a nice headache for Ten Hag.
It causes all attacking players to be at the top of their game or risk being replaced by a teammate. But for a player who looked bereft of confidence last season, staggered game time may not be the best plan.
The saving grace for all squad members is the amount of games United have to pack in this campaign with the mid-season break for the World Cup. From now until the Premier League pauses, United will almost always play two games a week meaning rotation will be required.
But Rashford performs best when he has the most talented players around him - including Antony - which means playing regularly for the first team.
It’s not something to worry about for now - and why would he when he’s producing the kind of form he is - but he must be mindful that it might not last forever and be braced to have to face a new challenge in a much-improved United team.
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