Published 18:46 IST, October 31st 2019
Rashford turns 22: The striker's debut goals for Man Utd and England
Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United striker turned 22 on Thursday. Here, let's take a look at Rashford's uncanny ability to score goals on his debut.
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England international and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford celebrates his 22nd birthday on Thursday. At 22, Rashford is already United's leading player, scoring more than 50 goals in his career so far. His audacious Ronaldo-esque freekick helped Manchester United defeat Chelsea in the 4th round of the FA Cup on Wednesday. Rashford’s ability to play anywhere across the attack, his pace and poaching abilities make him one of the finest young players to play around the penalty box. However, you might be interested to know that Rashford has an uncanny ability to score on his debut in major competitions, a run which started with his debut in 2016. Let’s take a look at Rashford’s debut goals:
1. Europa League vs Midtjylland, 25th February 2016
Marcus Rashford was a late inclusion in the playing XI after Anthony Martial injured himself on the eve of the game. He announced himself by scoring a brace as Louis Van Gaal’s men won the game 5-1. The result helped Manchester United trump Midtjylland on an aggregate score of 6-3.
2. Premier League vs Arsenal, 28th February 2016
Marcus Rashford scored again, three days after his Europa League debut. Rashford scored two on his Premier League debut as United defeated arch-rivals Arsenal 3-2. He set up the third goal for Ander Herrera, thus clearly dominating the Arsenal defense with his sheer pace and skill.
3. England debut vs Australia, 27th May 2016
Marcus Rashford was drafted into the England squad for the UEFA Euro 2016, after his meteoric rise in the months prior to that. Rashford continued his scoring on debut streak, just three minutes into the game vs Australia at the Stadium of Light. He became England’s youngest ever player to score on debut at the age of 18.
4. England U-21 vs Norway, 6th September 2016
Marcus Rashford is among the few players to debut for England's senior team before playing for the U-21s team. He made his debut for England U-21s vs Norway in the Euro U-21 2017 Qualifiers. And this time, he scored, not once but thrice to help England U-21 to a 6-1 win.
5. EFL Cup vs Northampton, 21st September 2016
Manchester United travelled to Northampton for the third round of the EFL Cup in 2016. Rashford, who was among the substitutes, came on in the 55th minute for Timothy Fosu-Mensah. He assisted Ander Herrera for United’s second goal of the game, and then scored after Northampton’s keeper made a glaring error in the 74th minute.
6. UEFA Champions League vs FC Basel, 12th September 2017
Marcus Rashford made his UEFA Champions League debut against FC Basel at Old Trafford. Rashford came on in the 77th minute for Juan Mata and continued his debut goal-scoring streak. It marked the 6th time Marcus Rashford scored on his debut.
17:41 IST, October 31st 2019