Manchester United is one of the most storied clubs in Europe. Under Sir Alex Ferguson they asserted themselves as the elite side in the Premier League. However, since the stately Scot’s departure, the Red Devils have found themselves in a bit of a rut. David Moyes’ tenure was a calamity, but it was still ended incredibly prematurely. Louis Van Gaal’s has seen them return to Europe, but it hasn’t exactly been the proverbial bed of roses either. But recently injuries have forced Van Gaal’s hand into utilizing a tactic that he had barrels of success with at previous stops. He’s dipping into United’s academy and the results have been rather blissful for the faithful at Old Trafford. One man in particular has led the charge of this impromptu youth movement on the red side of Manchester. His name is Marcus Rashford, and he’s here to save the day.
Louis Van Gaal has been under fire for the majority of the season. #LVGout has trended on more occasions than United’s brass would like to admit. However, while the teams ahead of them in the Premier League table have hit some unforeseen stumbling blocks, United have begun to rise from the ashes. It was barely two weeks ago that the team hit rock bottom in the Europa League by suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of FC Midtjylland. But since that game there has been a different feel to United. Most of that can be attributed to Rashford.
So who is Marcus Rashford? That was a question that even the casual Manchester United fan was asking themselves as the 18 year old started the stampede on their overwhelmed Danish foes in the return leg. That match ended 5-1 in United’s favor sending them through with Rashford netting a debut brace. But that brings us back to the question at hand.
The striker was far out of the consciousness of the club at the opening of the 2015-16 season. He was far down the pecking order in the academy, as much of the preseason punditry regarding the fabled United academy were focused on the likes of Ben Pearson, Demetri Mitchell, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, and others. A passing reference on United’s own site was the only slight mention of Rashford as a potential “call-up” to the senior squad before the season began. But as the pickings got slimmer and slimmer for Van Gaal, he made a hail mary and United’s #39 came down with the catch.
Rashford came through the youth system at United at the age of seven as reference from Fletcher Moss Rangers. Oddly enough, Rangers also were the home to current United teammates Jesse Lingard and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson as well as former Red Devils Wes Brown and Danny Welbeck. He’s come up through the ranks and even featured for England at both the U-16 and U-18 levels. But even the staunchest of supporters couldn’t forecast his dream debut in the UEL and follow-up in a massive clash with Arsenal.
Yup, Rashford’s encore to his worldwide introduction was a two goal outing on his initial Premier League bow against bitter rivals Arsenal. Four goals in two games was a staggering return for a player that only got his chance against Midtjylland because another phenom, Anthony Martial, got injured in warm-ups. Overnight Rashford became the next big thing. He was breaking Manchester United records with each goal he put away and his popularity began to spin dangerously out of control. But this is the nature of football fans. They are always looking for the next instead of enjoying the present. Marcus Rashford has plenty of cautionary tales in just his own club’s history as to what too much hype too soon can do.
The names Jose Kleberson, Adnan Januzaj, Danny Welbeck, Anderson, and Federico Macheda are just a few that could be on a warning poster as to the errs of not pumping the brakes on the expectations of youngsters. And yes, I am aware that the title of this article is “Marcus Rashford To The Rescue”, but allow me to explain the duality of the statement. Rashford’s inclusion in the lineup has been great. There is no question about that. United haven’t lost since he began being a regular fixture in the starting XI. But the wider focus is on a change in United’s recent culture, with Rashford being at the epicenter of it.
There were times this year that it seemed as if Manchester United had resided to salting away their identity. The players seemed listless and Louis Van Gaal was too stubborn to shy away from continuing on as an embodiment of Einstein’s definition of insanity. But as injuries removed some of the safer, and increasingly unproductive, options from Van Gaal’s team sheet, he had to make a change and by god has it worked. Left for dead by myself and others less than a month ago, Manchester United have remade themselves into top four contenders again. Add that to the FA Cup and Europa League and this could be a very successful season for Manchester United. Marcus Rashford has been the match that restarted the United bonfire and should be commended for it. But don’t expect him to gloat about it, he’s got homework to do.