Now it’s all down to Rashford
Team-mates back teen superstar to keep United firing after losing key man Ibrahimovic
MANCHESTER UNITED’S players are rallying around Marcus Rashford as the teenager takes on the giant responsibility of filling Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s shoes for the remainder of the season.
With 35- year- old Ibrahimovic ruled out with a knee ligament injury, Rashford will become Jose Mourinho’s main attacking weapon as United fight for Champions League qualification on two fronts.
Even if Wayne Rooney gets the nod against Burnley today, the 19-year-old will lead the line in the Manchester derby at the Etihad — where he scored the winner last season—and the two-legged Europa League semi-final against Spanish side Celta Vigo.
His best friend at United, Jesse Lingard, believes Rashford has the mental strength to handle the pressure even though it is only 14 months since he made his debut.
After going six months without a goal earlier this season, the England youngster has bounced back with three in four matches, including Thursday’ s winner against Anderlecht that took him into double figures.
‘Marcus has progressed a lot from last season,’ said Lingard. ‘ He is only young, so he’s got a lot of learning to do, but as long as he keeps firing in the goals nobody can question him.
‘ He is very mature. That sixmonth gap between goals, it didn’t faze him. He is always going to score, no matter what position he plays — winger or up front.
‘It’s just getting that confidence week in, week out, to put the ball in the back of the net. He is so direct when he gets the ball. He gets the fans on their feet.’
Lingard, 24, also came through the United ranks and acts like an older brother to Rashford.
On the pitch, they are dynamite together. Rashford and Lingard were paired up front in last weekend’s 2-0 win against Chelsea and it is noticeable Lingard is always around to fight his mate’s corner if a defender leaves a foot in.
‘There is great chemistry between us on the pitch. In training we are the same. Chelsea couldn’t contain it and we’ve got to take it into the Burnley game,’ added Lingard.
‘ Coming through the ranks at United, they tell you from a young age to be humble and stay humble, and Marcus has done that. Even though he scores a lot of goals, he keeps his feet on the ground. We stick together as a team. If a player is feeling down or anything, we are there to pick him up.
‘We’re not going to let another team bully us. We’ve got each other’s backs. I was there for Rashy when he came through and made his debut. When I see players pushing him about, it’s good for him to know I’m always there for him.’
The absence of 28-goal striker Ibrahimovic will be keenly felt, putting extra pressure on the club’s record goalscorer Rooney, fit again after ankle problems, and Rashford, as well as the other attacking players. ‘Everyone has to chip in. The team are going to rely on the front players more and we have to produce,’ added Lingard.
Vice- captain Michael Carrick acknowledges the loss of Ibrahimovic and injuries to Juan Mata and defenders Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are stretching United to the limit as they try to cut the gap to fourthplace City to one point ahead of the derby. ‘We’ve got the squad and people are going to have to step in. We’ve got to deal with it,’ said Carrick.
‘We forget how young Rashford is, but he listens, learns and gives everything. He won us the game against Anderlecht and he was terrific against Chelsea. He has an extra spring in his step at the moment.
‘He’s developing. You are going to have times when things might not go quite the way you want. It’s experience and he hasn’t been playing for the first team that long.
‘He’s come on so fast and all of a sudden expectations go through the roof. But he’s showing he’s taken his game on a little bit and I’m sure he’ll continue to do that.’
Mourinho is taking a leaf out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s book with United having already played 54 matches this season.
Players are told in advance to rest for particular games as the coach rotates his team. Ander Herrera, Ashley Young and Matteo Darmian can be expected to play at Turf Moor, having been left out in midweek, while Carrick and others might be rested with one eye on Thursday’s derby.
‘You’ve got to plan,’ said Carrick. ‘ You can’t have the same team every time and there are certain games like the Chelsea one where you could see the formation was more a one-off, which worked perfectly. Every game is different and I am sure he (Mourinho) has got a plan for all of them.’