Thought he did well. Couple of successful backheels, which was good to see. He's developing before our eyes and it's very exciting.
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Rashford is exciting already but once he fills out physically he'll be even more so.
Yeah I agree with what's been said, it appears as though he's developed slightly some aspect of his game each time I see him. The backheels today were very cleverly timed and executed for example.
I am still not sure he is that special either but he is very different to Joshua King for me.
I'd say premature rather than controversial.
Poor in lots of areas? I'm not saying he's brilliant in everything he does but I've not noticed one particular area in which he's poor either.
What kind of things do you think he's poor at?
the backheels always look so flashy but the thing is that in real life with a bit of vision it really is not that hard to execute. This is not something he developed lately, the combination game you learn from the early age is full of this but yeah it looks great:-)
I dont't think that Rashford's allround game today was that good, a lot of things didn't come out for him today but I am still quite impressed by his stamina/physical game, he looks very fit to finish 90 minutes and he only moved from U18s! Wilson on the other hand always looks like he can't catch the breath. Rashford doesn't seem to tire even though he press defenders quite a lot. Once he bulks up a bit and get into tempo of a senior game more he will be some striker, he's such a great athlete..
He's practically non-existent in the air, poor at holding the ball up, lacks the dribbling ability to beat his man without the simple use of pure pace, doesn't strike the ball particularly well...he's promising but I think a lot of the expectations are unfounded.
I tend to agree. Hes young and will learn. Very promising, as well as inexperienced.
As for the heading, he seems to be scared of the physical challenge.
Hasn't he scored two headers since coming into the team? Hardly non existent.
I think his hold up play has been fine. Its not great but given it's usually a youngsters weakness I definitely wouldn't call it poor.
Have to say the criticism of his ability to beat a man is just plain wrong. To say he can only beat a man one way is nitpicking.
Rashfood has been sped through the system but he's done well. He offers good movement and he's not the finished article. Normally we might be seeing Wilson or even Keane if he never got that injury. So he's come in and done very well. I doubt many would have thought he'd score the winner against City. Despite their defensive flaws, we're still talking about someone who was playing under 18 football not so long ago. When you think that Kane is 22/23 - similar to Lukaku...Rashfood is ahead of the curve and I wouldn't say he's overrated. I think he has contributed greatly to our recent form but it's early days. He's looks like a wide type forward to me. Give him some space and he will try something.
Even today, some nice touches around the box. Not the best game but always involved. Today was a bit of a battle and he has a good level of confidence. He isn't a weak players but he will get stronger.
Even today, some nice touches around the box. Not the best game but always involved. Today was a bit of a battle and he has a good level of confidence. He isn't a weak players but he will get stronger.
Good post
Rashfood?
Didn't think he was that good today but overall, I've been very impressed. Hard to say how good he will get but for an 18 year old, he's had an excellent start to his senior career.
You could've probably worded that better...
He's grown a lot in the last two years, but he's still really skinny. He does need to be braver in the air, but that will come with time.
He's really easy to knock off the ball at the minute, he's trying his best to keep it, leaning in to the defender and using his footwork but it's understandably not been easy for him
In the box he's great at finding space and finishing from close range in whatever way possible, and that's an invaluable trait. I just think outside of that he offers very little. He's not as limited as Macheda but I really don't think he's a million miles away either.
My point about his dribbling was probably poorly worded. To put it more bluntly, I don't think he can dribble. He can just run really fast like Josh King. King actually has more successful "dribbles" and is dispossessed less often. Neither of them really possess great control at pace. They're both pretty poor at holding the ball up and making an offer as the point of attack in the air or on the ground.
Rashford still has plenty of growing left but I'd be surprised if he turned into a fundamentally different player to King or overcame those fundamental weaknesses. The Rashford hype is completely understandable given the impact he's had but I just think it's prevented people from thinking about him in any critical way.
Hehe
Having an outlet of a proper striker (well one who can get in behind, occupy defenders) has been much needed. Hes no where near a finished article (obviously) but so much potential to grow.
Obviously fast tracked into the team out of necessity (everybody being injured) but hes done really well. Plays with no fear.
Obviously fast tracked into the team out of necessity (everybody being injured) but hes done really well. Plays with no fear.
Obviously I disagree, I think in limited appearances with no previous experience of this level we've seen him doing the stuff you think he's poor at. Holding the ball up, running channels etc
One more point is that he's a centre forward not a winger. Thinking back over the last 30 years I'm struggling to think of United centre forwards who were very good at dribbling and beating men without relying on their pace. Seems unfair to expect that of him when the previous greats playing in his position were no better or even worse.
Thought Jagielka, who is very quick himself, played Rashford pretty well, more so as the game went on.
Surely the point is that he looks reasonably promising for an 18-year old (and keep in mind there have been some rather impressive strikers at 18) but the fact that he's starting for Manchester United is a testament to our current squad rather than his ability. I mean, compare him to Rooney at the same age.
Not saying he won't develop, but there's no way he should be starting for us at this stage of his career.
Not saying he won't develop, but there's no way he should be starting for us at this stage of his career.
To be fair, I can't think of many, if any, players who would do well with that comparison.
Agreed, that's why very few 18 year olds are starting up front for a 'European great' team.
My point isn't about Rashford per se, it's that our standards have been ridiculously eroded over the past 2 seasons. If we genuinely want to compete with PSG/Bayern/Real/Barca/City...we have Rashford vs Ibra/Lewandowski/Ronaldo/Suarez/Aguero.
Sob. Over the past decade we've had Ruud, then Ruud and Rooney, then Ruud, Rooney and Saha...tevez, Berbatov and so forth and so on. Now we have a spent Rooney and Marcus Rashford.
It's definitely not good enough, but not so long ago Rooney was amongst those names mentioned. It looks like he'll never get back to that as a #9 and really in our attack he is the one that needs replacing with a top class, proven player.
Also you neglect to mention Martial, probably Europes top young talent in the forward department.
"A 35 year old uncle"
Also, why pick that second picture, and the sentence structure is so odd it's hilarious
Yeah, that's fair, should have him there, if the next manager agrees to play him up top! Still, we're a shadow...think of our 4 options in the treble year!
Berbatov Rooney Ronaldo and Tevez, or as I liked to call them berbaronaroonavez. All in or around the peak of their powers.
Still never could fit them in one team though, to have that headache again.
Transition though innit, mou will fix it.
I think that is fair. But probably the wrong time to pull it out of the front pocket, I'd have kept it tucked in there for when he goes on loan next season. Saw a clip of some of his touches, nice and instinctive but he is still just a kid. Not a Wayne Rooney at 18 looking seriously like he's world class already type of kid but a kid with a lot of developing to do.
As great as he has been, the story that he has to tell about the start of his career. I still would have no hesitation sending him back to the 18's (and then on loan next season) when we have our full complement of attackers back as well as purchases in the summer.
You can't blame people for getting defensive about his ability at the moment while his hype is still in full swing.
I still think it is stone wall a "system" issue of why our attack has looked blunt with about 14 different combinations of players in the starting lineup.
He's very raw in terms of his decision making and hold up play, but he's new to the position having only had 1-2 years education there so I expect him to improve in that regard. The strength and conditioning aspect will come along now he's training with the first and he will become stronger and learn how to utilise his body better.
His dribbling in tight spaces is much better than King's, he's not just a punt and chase merchant and his composure in front of goal is also much better. If he develops his game over the next few years and stays injury free then he could have a very good career here.
His dribbling in tight spaces is much better than King's, he's not just a punt and chase merchant and his composure in front of goal is also much better. If he develops his game over the next few years and stays injury free then he could have a very good career here.
I thought he showed a lot more on the ball today than in his previous matches - that backheel was crucial for the goal. He is limited but I don't know how rounded we can expect an unheralded teenager to be. If he can grow some upper bdy strength to be able to hold the ball with his back to goal, he'd have a decent set of skills - pace, finishing, flicks/short passing, hold-up play.
Thought he looked more confident today than he did previously
I guess that he'll be dropped to make way for Rooney when he returns? Possibly next weekend as Rooney is lined up for the u21s
Or will Mata be dropped instead?
Or will Mata be dropped instead?
I don't think he needs to be dropped but I wouldn't be against him being "rested" for a couple of games. He has really been thrown in at the deep end and I think we need to take him out of the firing line here and there, a bit like Ferguson used to be so good at doing. I know we are short on options and battling for a top four place but we need to think about what is best for Rashford's future as well.
But overall I think both him and TFM acquitted themselves well yesterday. I have a good feeling that both will be in the team for many years to come.
I don't think it's a case of getting defensive over him. I just don't see any reason to be critical about his game. Whilst he can obviously get better in everything he does he's so far showed a bit of everything. Instinctive finishes, headers, intricate play around the area, doing people for pace, trickery in beating Demichelis. Just not sure what there is to criticise and I enjoy moaning.
People try to compare him with Josh King must be talking out of their asses.Rashford has way more on his game than Josh.His touch and close control is superb and he's the type of player that can make something out of nothing.Sometimes Marcus overused his pace too much as most of the pacey teenager attacking players do but he'll learn.
I was specifically talking about people being on the front foot about how he'll be part of our plans next season. He is still very raw and people still need to be patient as his game develops.
He should be part of our plans next term, as in taking up a supersub/squad role whilst we sort the Rooney question. It's pointless buying another striker if we aren't getting rid of Rooney and if we are planning on playing a lone striker formation or any other 4-5-1/4-3-3 variant, as we do not need 4 strikers for what is essentially one position (Spurs have done well enough with Kane as their sole recognised senior striker). So, with that in mind, a trio of Rooney, Martial and Rashford as our three strikers will be quite enough. If he is going to be loaned out it will have to be the season after next when he'd have adopted to the professional, tactical and work ethic requirements demanded here.
Josh has scored 14 goals in 133 professional games. Rashford 5 goals in 9 professional games and at the top level!
It depends on a number of factors. Who will be managing and James Wilson/Will Keane for starters. The Rooney situation all comes down to who will be managing next season in my opinion and I won't be disappointed if in the washup that Rashford goes back down to the 21's or goes out to the Championship or the Top division on loan. I think that it will probably benefit him getting a year of consistent football as he has skipped a lot of steps in the progression from the 18's to the first team.
I think people need to be prepared for that and to be patient about his potential in development. He is raw and he has the ability, we have to make tough decisions at the end of this season and I don't think everyone will be left satisfied.
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