Marcus is glory hunting
STEVE MILLAR MARCUS RASHFORD’S rise to fame has been explosive and already he is eyeing the game’s richest prizes.
Just 112 days separated his debut double against Midtjylland in the Europa League last season and an appearance at Euro 2016 – where Rashford, 18, became England’s youngest player in the tournament’s history.
Tough then to keep your feet on the ground. But the Manchester United kid has done just that as he looks to a future when one day he would love to get his hands on the Champions League trophy.
First, though, United have to get their Europa League campaign back on track on Thursday against Zorya Luhansk after losing their opening match 1-0 at Feyenoord.
Rashford (below) who scored in United’s 4-1 win over Leicester yesterday, said: “My biggest ambition? To win the Champions League with United. “That would be mint.” Rashford has had many moments to treasure in his career but the one he classes as most important was his winner at Hull.
He said: “I feel like that was the most important goal for me. To get the winner in the last minute away from home.”
United are keeping tabs on Antonio Valencia over fears he might need a rest.
The Ecuador star, 31, was rested for the EFL Cup win at Northampton but returned yesterday.
Valencia has clocked up a lot of miles since the summer and boss Jose Mourinho is keeping a close eye on him.
That is the upbeat message from ex-Foxes defender Gerry Taggart as Claudio Ranieri’s side prepare to face Porto on Tuesday.
After an impressive 3-0 win over Club Brugge in their opening Group G match, the Premier League champions will look to boost their hopes of making the knockout stages by beating the two-time champions of Europe.
And Taggart (right) believes the Portuguese giants are in for an uncomfortable night at one the most atmospheric stadiums around.
Speaking about the red-hot King Power atmosphere, the former Northern Ireland central defender said: “It will be electrifying – it’s going to be like the Last Night of the Proms!
“After Tuesday everyone will be aware of what a Champions League night at the King Power Stadium means. Porto will certainly know they’ve been in the thick of it.
“That’s what makes Leicester so special, the fans are included in everything by the owners.
“With their clappers, free pies and drinks they feel wanted. It’s a cauldron all over the stadium.
“And that feeds to the players, who in turn give even more, chase every cause even harder.”
Taggart, 45, does have some words of caution, though, after Marcin Wasilewski was sent off during the 4-2 EFL Cup defeat to Chelsea.
The defender saw red after a clash with Diego Costa and the man who played 142 times for BBC Five Live, still has to pinch himself that his old club are mixing it at the top table with the European elite. He said: “It’s surreal to see them in the Champions League. “If they can win their group anything could happen after that!”