Marcus Rashford is Manchester United’s top scorer this season with five goals to his name.
The England international has turned a corner after last season’s misery woes, already matching his 2021/22 tally. But for injury, he would have been recalled into Gareth Southgate’s England squad last month and is in contention for a ticket to Qatar.
But his general good form is not unblotted. United fans know too well that the 24-year-old is liable to a few sub-par outings. His displays against Brighton and Manchester City left supporters frustrated while some will be angered after his substitute appearance against Newcastle on Sunday. Rashford missed two chances to score.
READ MORE: Why Ronaldo came off vs Newcastle
A more confident striker would have taken the shot on from the angle after rounding Nick Pope two minutes from time, but he instead found a pressurised Fred who couldn’t direct his shot at an unguarded net.
Rashford had a glorious chance to win the game for United right at the death but could only direct a close-range header wide, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo justified in his annoyance at being taken off for the academy graduate 20 minutes earlier.
Rashford was played down the middle when he was brought on but all five of his goals have come while he has played on the left, not as a centre forward. Speaking after netting two against Omonia in the Europa League earlier this month, he detailed he prefers life on the flank.
"The left side is probably more natural for me,” he said, before clarifying: “I enjoy doing both [winger and main striker], I'm just helping the team.”
Rashford’s two missed chances show he is not a fluent centre-forward, which is good news for Ronaldo. Erik ten Hag saw the extent of Rashford’s lethality when it mattered most, which may make up his mind about how he manoeuvres forward.
Rashford, like his theory says, is clearly more effective on the left and will likely get the starting spot of Jadon Sancho given his goal-getting form.
This may be concerning for Sancho, especially with Antony pinning down the right flank position, although he won’t be starved of game time with rotation needed.
But a consequence may see Ten Hag promote Ronaldo to back-up to Anthony Martial. The constantly injured Frenchman is due to return against Tottenham on Wednesday but who knows how long it will be before he suffers a fourth setback of the season.
Everyone in the stadium knew Ronaldo would have buried that last gap Rashford chance, especially the man himself. After he made it known he wanted to leave United in the summer, it was unlikely the superstar would ever be the first choice striker under Ten Hag, especially at the age of 37.
But his God-given eye for goal must be utilised by his manager more often - and with Martial’s injury record, it just might be.
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