Published 19:49 IST, October 31st 2019
Marcus Rashford praised by Solskjaer after 'Ronaldo-like' free kick
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised forward Marcus Rashford's stunning free-kick, calling it a 'Cristiano Ronaldo-like' strike
Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, praised forward Marcus Rashford's stunning free-kick in a 2-1 victory against Chelsea and called it a 'Cristiano Ronaldo-like' strike that sent United into the quarter-finals of the Carabao cup. Marcus Rashford netted an unstoppable free-kick in the 73rd minute from 30 yards to secure a place for the Red Devils in the last eight.
Solskjaer said that the pace and the direction in which Marcus hit the ball reminded him of former teammate and United striker, Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Rashford has the nerves of steel"
While talking to a local media outlet, Ole said that the 21-year-old forward held his nerve during the entirety of the match and that enabled him to score a penalty in the first half and free kick in the second half of the match. He further added that, when young players get the chance to play for the senior team such as Brandon Williams, they are bound to play well as it helps them step up for the team.
Ole said that he is well aware of the fact that the current United squad is a team in the making and that they are not a finished product. He also said that the boys are constantly trying to improve and trying to play the Manchester United way in order to steer the team back to their glory days.
As Rashford lifted the ball over Chelsea's "Blue" wall and past goalkeeper Willy Cabellero, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard also had a few words of appreciation for the young forward. He said that it was a special sight, a fantastic technique at a time when his team really needed him to step up for them.
"Training gave me the confidence"
Man of the match Marcus Rashford said that training with the same kind of ball before the match had given him the confidence to take the free-kick. He said that it was a positive day for him and the team. Rashford said that the Red Devils have been in a tight spot off late but they are step by step getting out of that phase and back up on their feet. The main aim is to focus on improving in every match in order to add silverware to the trophy cabinet.
'Ronaldo-like strike"
Former Tottenham player James Redknapp also commented on Rashford's freekick and said that such kicks were taken players such as Drogba and Ronaldo and since then the match balls have changed so much that when one is trying to lift the ball, they have to do it all by themselves but the Mitre ball is perfect for the players just as it helped Marcus.
A third successive win for Manchester United
Marcus Rashford's Penalty in the 25th minute helped United gain a 1 goal lead before Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi equalized in the 61st minute but it was the young England International's 73rd minute free-kick that sealed the deal for Manchester United and ended Chelsea's seven-match winning streak. The Red Devils next face Colchester United in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal.
Updated 00:21 IST, November 1st 2019