Five-time PL winner singles out maligned Utd man for praise, appreciates how ‘sharp’ he looked

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and FC Twente at Old Trafford on September 25, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Few Manchester United players covered themselves in glory after last night’s 1-1 draw with FC Twente.

Marcus Rashford returned to the starting XI following his controversial omission last weekend, and while he wasn’t able to etch his name onto the scoresheet during his 79 minutes on the pitch, he could hold his head high when looking back at the night’s affairs.

In the first half, the forward won 100 per cent of his duels, completed four take-ons, recorded seven touches in the opposition’s box and created two chances – but perhaps his most notable passage of play was when he executed a scintillating elastico nutmeg to beat his man and get inside the area.

Former Red John O’Shea was beyond impressed with what he saw from Rashford, too, as he chose the No.10 as his Man of the Match on MUTV following the full-time whistle.

Read more: Journo heard United fans becoming ‘increasingly hacked off’ with one Red’s ‘sloppiness’ vs Twente

O’Shea lauds Rashford promising showing

The Irishman told the panel: “Really in the sense of threatening all night, not just for his nutmeg, obviously, but he looked really sharp.

“When Marcus is really direct and going at defenders, he leaves him for dead, and that’s what we want to see really. I expected Marcus to play really well today, and he did, you know, and a lot of players did play well, except for that one-minute spell.”

It remains to be seen if Rashford will retain his place when United host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, though him being benched again would undoubtedly raise eyebrows the same way it did last time out against Crystal Palace.

 

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