Marcus Rashford home form puts him is same bracket as Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy for Manchester United goals
Marcus Rashford has continued his fine form into the new year at Manchester United where he has equalled Wayne Rooney’s Old Trafford scoring record.
The England international was on the score sheet once again, this time on on Tuesday night, when he tapped home United’s third goal in a 3-0 win over Bournemouth.
That was the sixth successive home game where the forward has netted, a run that has not been matched since club legend Rooney between March and April 2012 – more than ten years ago.
Prior to Rooney, the feat had also been completed by Ruud van Nistelrooy – in 2003 and 2005 – and Cristiano Ronaldo, in 2007, meaning Rashford joins some esteemed United icons.
The 25-year-old scored against Burnley and Nottingham Forest in home games since the World Cup, netting against Sheriff Tiraspol, West Ham United and Aston Villa before the Qatar competition, while also grabbing the winner against Wolves at the Molineux on Saturday.
And he could go one better on Friday night when the Red Devils face Everton in the FA Cup at home – and no one would bet against him considering his form and the dire situation the Toffees are in.
Regardless, it exemplifies the transformation undergone by the 25-year-old under manager Erik ten Hag this season after a forgettable campaign last year with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Ralf Rangnick at the helm.
Last season, Rashford managed just four Premier League goals and he already has seven to his name and 12 in all competitions while also returning to the England fold, joining up with the Three Lions at the World Cup.
Ten Hag was full of praise for the striker after his performance against Bournemouth, having dropped him against Wolves for disciplinary reasons.
The Dutchman said: “It was once again a great performance [from Marcus Rashford].
“I said before the season and the same with [Anthony] Martial, believe in the goal because they [the other players] will always create, so focus from minute one to the last and the chances will come.”
While Rashford has returned to form, there remain question marks over his future at Old Trafford despite a clause being triggered in his contract.
The Englishman would have seen his deal expire at the end of the season before the club exercised a contract extension by another year, along with Diogo Dalot, Fred and Luke Shaw.
Paris Saint-Germain had been strongly linked with Rashford over the summer and could return with a bid in the next transfer window while club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi expressed an interest before his contract was extended.
He said: “He’s another player that is really amazing. And for free? To have Rashford for free, every club would run after him, definitely.“We’re not hiding it, we spoke before. But the moment was not a good moment for both sides. Maybe, summer, why not?”
