Rashford’s rise leaves Roo behind
THE man born on Halloween is proving to be Wayne Rooney’s worst nightmare at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford is a frightening talent – and one of the main reasons Rooney might be left with no choice but to leave United this summer.
Last night Rooney sat on the sidelines again, at least until the closing stages, as United just about got the job done against Celta Vigo to reach the Europa League Final.
The fact Rooney had a ringside seat for most of the match to watch Rashford produce another master-class of forward play will have been no consolation whatsoever.
The former England and United talisman must have felt like he was watching himself from a previous era.
A time when all he touched turned to gold. When he could score goals of all kinds for fun, set them up and change the course of a game with one piece of brilliance.
A few months ago Jose Mourinho was asked if he thought anyone would ever challenge Rooney’s all-time scoring record at United.
Rapid
He paused for a while before delivering one name – Rashford.
He is just 19 and has time on his side but this debate is for another time because right now, all Mourinho and United fans will care about is if the teenage sensation can continue his remarkable and rapid rise to the top of the game.
Despite lurking in the shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovic this season, Rashford has still scored 11 goals.
But last night he turned provider in the 17th minute with a sublime cross for Marouane Fellaini to head United in front.
He almost created a second goal minutes later – the Celta Vigo defence couldn’t handle him.
He chased down balls and lost causes with a raw pace that is just one of his many gifts. Rashford is one of those players who brings people to their feet when he gets the ball. He even takes corners and freekicks, as Vigo discovered to their cost in the first leg in Spain last week.
No-one likes to complain more than Mourinho, but he has a valid point when it comes to Rashford’s possible involvement in the European Under-21 Championships in Poland this summer.
Mourinho thinks Rashford is above that level now and he’s right.
Picking him in that team would deprive someone of less ability the chance to develop his talent and experience on the international stage.
Rooney has made it clear to Mourinho that he wants more regular football, but how can the United boss pick him ahead of Rashford when the youngster performs like this?
He should be one of the first names on England’s team-sheet, let alone United’s, having used his brain to learn from the likes of Rooney and Ibrahimovic on the training ground this term.