Marcus Rashford was on the field for less than an hour on Wednesday night at the City Ground but in that time he once again proved why he is integral to Manchester United.
Within six minutes, aided by some lax Nottingham Forest defending, Rashford opened the scoring with a superb solo goal which silenced the home supporters. Further strikes from Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes sealed a comprehensive first-leg victory in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and has now opened up the possibility of some rotation next week in the reverse fixture.
Rashford's rediscovered confidence has come not a moment too soon considering where he was this time last year. The 25-year-old was struggling for minutes and when he was given an opportunity, he was often far off the standards United fans had come to expect.
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Fast forward 12 months and Erik ten Hag has revitalised the winger's career and he has now become undroppable. His 18 goals and six assists in 29 appearances is very impressive and makes Paul Pogba's take on Rashford from 2021 look even worse with the ability of hindsight.
Speaking to the media about Edinson Cavani, Pogba explained what the Uruguayan brought to the team that other strikers at the Reds did not. "Everybody knows that Edi is a top-class striker and there’s few strikers like this in the world, and we had the chance to have one," he explained.
"We know the hardest goals are those goals. We have talented players – Anthony Martial, Rashy, they can shoot from outside and stuff – but they don’t have this, the experience of Edi, and they don’t have the same quality of Edi as well. So I think we complete each other with the players we have in front and Edi can obviously show his class like he did today.
"Those goals that we needed, at the right time, he’s always there at the right time and the right moment to help the team to win." What Rashford has proven this season is that he can also be relied upon in the big moments.
Whether that be with United or England, Rashford has proven that he has the capabilities of turning up in the right place at the right time. His goal on Wednesday night was crucial to preventing Forest from building a head of steam; while his winner against Manchester City in the derby showed typical poacher's instincts.
Rashford is now proving why Ten Hag has so much faith in him. For United's sake, long may it continue.
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