Marcus Rashford’s epitomises ‘real danger’ of Manchester United, as Michael Owen says Old Trafford attack is one of the best in the world… while Roberto Martinez labels England forward a ‘special striker’
- Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United beat Sheffield United 3-2
- The England forward scored either side of half-time to earn a crucial three points
- Michael Owen praised Rashford’s overall display at Bramall Lane on Thursday
- Roberto Martinez also commended the forward for his maturity this season
Michael Owen and Roberto Martinez praised Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United forward fired his side to victory at Sheffield United with two goals on Thursday.
The Red Devils moved five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with a game in hand after Rashford’s brace, along with Anthony Martial’s goal, gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s all three points at Bramall Lane.
The 23-year-old netted his fifth league goal of the season and his 12th overall, though former Manchester United striker Owen praised his overall game on Thursday.
Marcus Rashford (left)’s brace saw Manchester United beat Sheffield United 3-2 on Thursday
Michael Owen (above) praised Rashford’s overall display at Bramall Lane on Thursday night
Speaking about Rashford, Owen told Amazon Prime Sport: ‘I thought his movement was excellent, his timing of the runs too.
‘I never thought he was a central player. He never played that at youth level, he always wanted to be a number ten or a wide player. It suits him and it suits Martial, he’s the best out of the two to play down the middle.
‘His (Rashford)’s running off the ball was a real danger. They are one of the best counter-attacking teams in the country. It is the other side they need to work on now at Old Trafford.
‘When you have five attacking players like that they are one of the best in the world. If they get it tight at the back then they can really fight for this title.’
Rashford netted an equaliser in the first-half after David McGoldrick gave the Blades the lead
Solskjaer’s side fell behind through David McGoldrick’s close range goal after Dean Henderson’s error in the opening minutes of the game, but Rashford and Martial struck before half-time to overturn the deficit.
Rashford then added a third goal for United in the second-half after Paul Pogba’s pass, which was enough for all three points despite McGoldrick pulling another goal back.
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez believes Rashford is showing a greater level of maturity this season at both club and international level.
Martinez told Prime Sport: ‘I think that the weight sometimes gets on your shoulder when you have to play the final touch. The movement was exceptional, in front of goal he looked confident.
Rashford added a second early in the second-half to set up a two-goal lead for the Red Devils
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez (above) claims Rashford is showing great maturity this season
‘He took a few minutes to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, it is a much more mature Rashford for United and for England too. When you have the pace and composure on the ball you have a special striker.’
Speaking about his own display on Thursday night, Rashford said: ‘Once again we’ve done well to respond, going a goal behind, scoring three goals, and then of course, late on, if we don’t kill the game off it’s going to be tough at a place like this.
‘Today we didn’t get anything that we didn’t expect. They fought for every ball, they wanted to win the game and they fought for 90 minutes, and in the end we managed to get the three points.’
Regarding his second goal, he added: ‘The referee played advantage and in the end that’s probably why we get the goal, because it is a foul earlier on in the play.
‘But from there it’s about reaction and runs and passes, and when we play one-touch like that, we can do that against every team in the league.’
