RASHFORD FLYING HIGH
MANCHESTER. - A “rejuvenated” Marcus Rashford is leading Erik ten Hag’s revolution at Old Trafford, according to United We Stand editor Andy Mitten.
The England forward netted his 100th goal for the Manchester United to see off West Ham on Sunday and Mitten is delighted at the upturn in form from the academy star.
“He looks confident and he spoke confidently after the game,” Mitten told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
“I’m really pleased he’s playing well and I’m enjoying watching him play again. He’s fast, beating players and scoring goals.
“He looks rejuvenated and keeps talking about having a clearer headspace. The mental side of it is very important for him and United really need his form as they have a shortage of forward players.”
Mitten also backed Harry Maguire after the club captain impressed on his return to the starting line-up.
“Yesterday was good for United and good for Maguire,” said Mitten. “Some of the abuse has been way beyond the pale and when West Ham came on in the second half, he was one of the main players keeping the ball out of the net.” Match Of The Day and BT Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas has backed Marcus Rashford to reclaim his place in England’s starting line-up for their World Cup opener in Qatar.
Writing in his BBC Sport column, the former Spurs midfielder backed Rashford to take up his place on the left-hand-side of England’s front three.
“Based on his performance, Rashford is more than just a player who 100% has to be in the Three Lions squad,” wrote Jenas.
“Instead, after watching him at Old Trafford on Sunday, England boss Gareth Southgate will be thinking Rashford might have to start their first game.” Rashford was not included in Southgate’s most recent England squad, which seemed to signal his omission for the World Cup but based on current form Jenas now sees the 25-year-old not only making the plane but playing a major role.
Jenas believes Rashford has discovered a newfound confidence since reprising his position on the left-wing of United’s front three and that this has led to a change in fortunes.
“I have never really seen Rashford as an out-and-out centre-forward who would perform that role. For me, his best position is coming in off the left flank as a wide forward - like he did against West Ham.
“We know how good Rashford is when he is on form, but that was not the case last season. His confidence was knocked so badly that he looked a shell of himself, but he seems to have come back with a new lease of life since the start of this campaign.”
Given this scenario, Jenas believes Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling would be the one to miss out.
“Sterling’s form for Chelsea has been indifferent, but in his defence, he has had to play in several different formations for Thomas Tuchel and now Graham Potter after moving to Stamford Bridge last summer.
“He is not reaching the heights he did when he was at City, but in the circumstances that’s hardly a surprise.”
Sterling has always performed for Southgate, and the England boss is famously loyal to his players, however if Rashford’s form continues then calls for his inclusion in the starting XI in Qatar will certainly grow.