He has done it about five times literally yesterday.
10
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 53
- Goals
- 11
- Assists
- 7
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Status
I think we need to stop using him on the wing and let him concentrate being a striker. No doubt he should have came away with a goal yesterday but it was fantastic to see him blowing passed defenders like they weren't even there.
Props to Valdes he got his positioning spot on and made sure the finishes had to be right in the corners, or no goal.
Man would I love to see a 4-4-2 with Rashford and Mbappe upfront. Could you imagine
Props to Valdes he got his positioning spot on and made sure the finishes had to be right in the corners, or no goal.
Man would I love to see a 4-4-2 with Rashford and Mbappe upfront. Could you imagine
I understand your hope, but it's simplistic. Rashford can't hold up play which in other game where the other teams sit deep & limit the space behind the defense line, he still finds it hard to play; or simply when he ran out of steam like second half. Yes he should play central forward more, but he should also start working to learn to use his body/ strength & hold up play properly. He's pretty much one trick pony right now & not too gifted with his dribbling (compare to top wiz dribbler)I think we need to stop using him on the wing and let him concentrate being a striker. No doubt he should have came away with a goal yesterday but it was fantastic to see him blowing passed defenders like they weren't even there.
Props to Valdes he got his positioning spot on and made sure the finishes had to be right in the corners, or no goal.
Man would I love to see a 4-4-2 with Rashford and Mbappe upfront. Could you imagine
He dropped off the defence fine, turned and ran with the ball no problem. He just needs to learn to use his body effectively, or avoid contact with the centre back all together. That'll only get better with actually playing as a striker though.
Once he get's shoulder level with defenders his balance and strength is very good. It's only when backing in, he almost doesn't anticipate the impact coming and it catches him off guard.
I don't disagree (mostly agree actually) but IMO that's not good enough holding up play, even compare to short, light weighted like Defoe. Definitely have problem playing with his back to opponent's goal, & hardly win aerial duel at all; or at least know how to pressure & force error
Defoe is in his 30's and experienced with battling now. Back when he was younger he was awful at holding onto the ball too. Rashford will get there he's only just grown into his size, It just takes a while to adjust.
IKR. No chance I am comparing experience. I'm just saying Rashford will need to learn it fast since we would often play against team sit deep to narrow the space in behind, forcing us with holding up play. Physique is only part of equation in holding up play. You can't expect opponent play to your strength, can you? For example, he was extremely frustrating vs Hull in League cup semi final at home since there is no space to run into.
Edit: Henrik Larsson was very small too & was very good at hold up play. It's possible.
He's 19 years old people, what striker is fully developed at this age? He's no different from Mbappe whom many have been screaming we should sign. The thing about hold up play is that it's something he can learn, and can develop his body to adapt to, but you can't teach that natural instinctive movement that he has, his finishing is also good even though he missed a lot of easy chances yesterday, but he hasn't been playing regularly especially up top, so, it's not unexpected that his finishing & end product was generally not clutch. In my opinion, he's a special and should develop into a fine striker for us in the future.
The thing is with Mourinho, if he doesn't seek to develop his hold up play, he's stuck with limited time as central forward; & being used more as wing player. Rashford ain't as good as dribbler as Martial or Mbappe (I believe he would be used as wing forward if he's ever be bought).
This is not criticism or unrealistic expectation, but a constructive suggestion for the next step Rashford should look at for his development as it would automatically increase his gametime to play central. Playing more central arguably would naturally help improve his scoring too.
If anything, someone like Defoe, Rooney left it too late for their development in this area, which arguably a stumbling block for their career. Defoe wouldn't get the recognition he could have. Rooney was shunt around, never learnt to be a real no9, and it showed when he lost his physical edge. England NT was stuck with using the like of Heskey, Crouch to provide hold up play while there were too many players stepping on each other foot in midfield/ no 10/ second forward area.
Pace can leave you at latter stage of career, but hold up (the skill) & arguably the strength would stay. I may be wrong, but seems like slow players with good hold up skill often maintain their top years longer than though who depends on pace, agility running off defender shoulder.
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I think both him and Martial deserve more chances up front. Preferably in tandem, so they develop better understanding of each other and a good partnership. Let's be honest, it could be future attack force of this club sorted for the next 10 years if they click.
Also, I always felt playing two mobile strikers (Yorke & Cole style) offers a lot movement and can produce very exciting football. Two of the most fun teams to watch this season (Atletico & Monaco) are playing with 2 up front and it's working great for them. And France played with 2 upfront on their Euro run too.
It involves Jose getting out of his comfort zone a bit and playing without actual target men, which he hasn't done in 15 years. So I won't hold my breath.
Also, I always felt playing two mobile strikers (Yorke & Cole style) offers a lot movement and can produce very exciting football. Two of the most fun teams to watch this season (Atletico & Monaco) are playing with 2 up front and it's working great for them. And France played with 2 upfront on their Euro run too.
It involves Jose getting out of his comfort zone a bit and playing without actual target men, which he hasn't done in 15 years. So I won't hold my breath.
Martial is at his best when played from left wing. He should be our first choice LW and maybe in future Rashford as our striker.
Thing is Rashford & Martial have to earn it. They don't just deserve it. Cole & Yorke had to earn it too, and they're very good with their all around game before getting the transfers here.
And partnership is not a thing to force, but natural blend between players. Cole- Yorke was special for that reason. Many teams throughout history having great forwards in their hand at same time, but partnership didn't develop all the time. Atletico IMO is boring most of the time. France during EURO was not fun neither. Monaco is one off, but that is regardless Falcao, Mbappe partnership. The dynamism lies with the whole system. They can cope with Mbappe or Falcao out of equation.
For 2 forwards system to work, you either go with 5 at the back or 4-4-2. We lack many puzzle pieces for both system. Trying to utilize 2 young forwards by sacrificing the whole team doesn't sound right for me especially when they're not really that established. We lack real wingers for 4-4-2. CB partnership is no where good enough. The best partnership is RoJones but that's nothing to rave about. We could end up with defensive 4-4-2 (defensive wingers) if we're not too careful this way. 5 at the back, you need one of the forward having play making ability or you stuck with only one attacking supplier & 2 isolated wing backs. Trying to improve offensive with 2 forwards (non play making type) would mean you unbalance the system with less defensive midfielders meaning you could ended up like Pep's system where you're prone to counter attacking. Few pass & run through middle & you're killed. Our CBs can't play a proper 3 at the back offensively. We're using an very defensive version of it for the sake of defending.
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I think this is slightly out of context. I didn't mean that they deserve to be starting every game or be the main partnership. I explicitly said "they deserve more chances up front". As of 20th of March this year they have played in 0 games upfront together. I don't think what I'm asking is outrageous? Every footballer deserves some chances, surely. There's plenty of players, in this club as well, who get chances despite their performances not really meriting them (looking at you Darmian)
Disagree. A partnership (whether CBs or strikers) is two players playing together. How well it works it depends on various things like their compatibility and wavelength but of course also their familiarity and understanding that they have worked to develop. You need to work a lot with your teammate, learn to read his game (and vice versa), practice a lot with him and have game-time with him. It doesn't just happen magically.
Again, let's agree to disagree. I enjoy watching both Monaco and Atleti and considering how little time national team squads are/train together, I thought France played very enjoyable football.
You pretty much explained it. I don't mean it's a magical thing, but it's natural compatibility. Familiarity played a part, but natural compatibility has stronger role.
Other part of your post is very personal opinion matter. Like I can see why Darmian starts in certain game, where Martial's flaw is, where Rashford's flaw is...
Bar his poor finishing (which is to be expected since he was playing as a makeshift winger throughout the season) he was great. Menacing, always pressing up, bullying the defenders with his speed.
Was so refreshing having pace and speed up front which kept oppo's back line always on the back foot.
His link up with Mata and especially Lingard was great as well. Now imagine him at the receiving end of those great through passes from Pogba and Mikhi?
Regarding his finishing, give him a run of games or at least give him some games as CF coming in as a sub and it will help improve both his confidence and his finishing.
LVG believed in him last season and his finishing was excellent.
Was so refreshing having pace and speed up front which kept oppo's back line always on the back foot.
His link up with Mata and especially Lingard was great as well. Now imagine him at the receiving end of those great through passes from Pogba and Mikhi?
Regarding his finishing, give him a run of games or at least give him some games as CF coming in as a sub and it will help improve both his confidence and his finishing.
LVG believed in him last season and his finishing was excellent.
Loans are risky. You have to trust that the team knows what they are doing. But it's going to be interesting to see how these two develop. I'm also curious to see if Mourinho will use Pereira, but that's for a different thread.
So much to be positive about Rashford and he's only 19.
I loved his work in the first half yesterday and his finishing was very good last season so I'm not too worried in that aspect.
I loved his work in the first half yesterday and his finishing was very good last season so I'm not too worried in that aspect.
Great first half. Brilliant running although should have scored. Intelligent running.
I thought he was shocking in the second half. Kept giving the ball away, kept making stupid decisions. Lost the ball a couple of times and made absolutely no effort to chase back. I was amazed he wasn't hauled off.
Obviously going to be a seriously good player though.
I thought he was shocking in the second half. Kept giving the ball away, kept making stupid decisions. Lost the ball a couple of times and made absolutely no effort to chase back. I was amazed he wasn't hauled off.
Obviously going to be a seriously good player though.
Exactly. Great save from Valdes to deny him though he still should have scored. In the second half I was roaring for him to track back and at least put some pressure on the Boro defence/midfield and was surprised that he wasn't subbed off for Martial earlier.
Is his stamina a little low? It's not the first time I've seen him tire massively towards the end.
He played vs. Chelsea whilst not 100% and probably still a bit sick. Guess that had a part to play. Expected Mourinho to sub him off around an hour mark.
Mourinho not subbing him was plain stupid. He was knackered after 60 minutes, no longer contributing.
http://www.squawka.com/news/premier...turity-could-define-his-man-utd-career/921849
Unfortunately most of his performances are not as a striker
Unfortunately most of his performances are not as a striker
Pretty much, he was barely moving.
Another "what if" performance from the 19 yr old.
On a day when our best opportunity to win the three points was a counter-attacking strategy, and in a team containing very little in the way of creative midfield talent, Rashford's job was always going to be difficult and so it proved!
Credit must be given to the kid for seeing & finding space behind defenders; not just in this game but in others he's played his year. But in this game, he had two guilt-edged chance to really have made a difference ... and again the chances were spurned.
Of course he's very quick & does generally speaking, use his speed to good effect. He make good runs and creates some good chances for himself and also for others at times but all too often his last decision is the wrong one. (martial suffers from this affliction and more often than not, Lingard too)
I've used the word naiive to describe his/their play in the past, and his poor decision making continues to be the biggest question mark on his CV thus far. (The ill-advised back heel was his latest blatant example) Again, I acknowledge that he's only 19, but the question I must ask is "what is the best way to accelerate his learning curve without sacrificing the lofty short-term ambitions of the club"?
If we get Griesmann for example or a similar star quality plus we keep Zlatan, how many chances will Rashford get with us next year, given he doesn't start regularly now? And then how can he get better if he doesn't play premiership football all the time?
Over the course of our remaining games he will of course get a number of opportunities to play and our chances of winning a CL spot next year may literally fall at his feet on more than one occasion. I'm not a religious fella but I just "pray" he starts taking them for his sake as well as the teams!
If he fails to do so, I think he will follow in the footsteps of many other United kids with potential, and find himself out on loan. Not a bad thing necessarily, but assuming we do recruit four players; a strong defender, two great midfielders as well as one more top striker, young Marcus may have to make way ... and there's a dozen teams below us would bite our hand off to have him play every week for them.
On a day when our best opportunity to win the three points was a counter-attacking strategy, and in a team containing very little in the way of creative midfield talent, Rashford's job was always going to be difficult and so it proved!
Credit must be given to the kid for seeing & finding space behind defenders; not just in this game but in others he's played his year. But in this game, he had two guilt-edged chance to really have made a difference ... and again the chances were spurned.
Of course he's very quick & does generally speaking, use his speed to good effect. He make good runs and creates some good chances for himself and also for others at times but all too often his last decision is the wrong one. (martial suffers from this affliction and more often than not, Lingard too)
I've used the word naiive to describe his/their play in the past, and his poor decision making continues to be the biggest question mark on his CV thus far. (The ill-advised back heel was his latest blatant example) Again, I acknowledge that he's only 19, but the question I must ask is "what is the best way to accelerate his learning curve without sacrificing the lofty short-term ambitions of the club"?
If we get Griesmann for example or a similar star quality plus we keep Zlatan, how many chances will Rashford get with us next year, given he doesn't start regularly now? And then how can he get better if he doesn't play premiership football all the time?
Over the course of our remaining games he will of course get a number of opportunities to play and our chances of winning a CL spot next year may literally fall at his feet on more than one occasion. I'm not a religious fella but I just "pray" he starts taking them for his sake as well as the teams!
If he fails to do so, I think he will follow in the footsteps of many other United kids with potential, and find himself out on loan. Not a bad thing necessarily, but assuming we do recruit four players; a strong defender, two great midfielders as well as one more top striker, young Marcus may have to make way ... and there's a dozen teams below us would bite our hand off to have him play every week for them.
How being shunted to the wing is affecting his finishing? Don't players train everyday? Doesn't he shoot also even as a winger?
Or is there like a stats tool that downgrade his shooting value, every time he's not playing as a CF? Just like Rojo suddenly lose his ability to tackle when playing as LB.
I don't get it either.
Some weird theories on here with no supporting evidence whatsoever.
Yeh. It doesn't effect Ronaldo and Messi's shooting playing on the wing.
Playing on the wing may affect a striker play or outcome, but that's due to uncomfortable position, or lesser opportunities. But shouldn't be on their shooting/finishing skill.
True.
Last season his finishing was way better when he was playing as a number 9. This season tho, he's primarily a winger that is more focused on providing for our CF, making crosses and tracking back to help out defensively.
Training and live match isn't the same obviously, pressure isn't the same in training.
You can't compare Messi and Ronaldo who both are bigger talents than Rashford and they're finished products. 2 standouts in this generation.
Our game setup was different last season. Wingers didn't have as much defensive duties with tracking back as they have now. Our football was possession based unlike now.
Also last season Martial was brimming with confidence, wasn't affected by off pitch drama.
Tracking back from a wing position for half of the game does affect your finishing. A striker's most taxing moment - psychologically - is the moment the goal is in view and the prospect of a goal is a distinct possibility.
If Rashford has run 70 yards already, how is this going to help him a striker to 'finish' off something that needs a final 'dip' athletic-style to get a crucial goal? It won't. He needs to be in and around the box to conserve that energy for the thing that really matters ie scoring a goal.
Rashford has all the classic ingredients to be a top striker. Playing him wide constantly is going to dampen that edge. He can do a job there, yes, but this is the roughest of diamonds that needs the most delicate of handling.
It's going to be one of Jose's biggest challenges in the next few years to get the best out of him.
If Rashford has run 70 yards already, how is this going to help him a striker to 'finish' off something that needs a final 'dip' athletic-style to get a crucial goal? It won't. He needs to be in and around the box to conserve that energy for the thing that really matters ie scoring a goal.
Rashford has all the classic ingredients to be a top striker. Playing him wide constantly is going to dampen that edge. He can do a job there, yes, but this is the roughest of diamonds that needs the most delicate of handling.
It's going to be one of Jose's biggest challenges in the next few years to get the best out of him.
Had a decent cameo.
He was playing as a striker but still had average finishing.
And one and only Jose's biggest challenge in the next few years is getting United back to the top with style. The like of Rashford, Martial, or Shaw can either swim or drawn. Right now, we can't afford to be held back because caring about some kids future.
I have no problems with the kid. I remember Andy Cole getting criticized a lot at the time and he did alright.
He'd do well to get anywhere near Andy Cole's numbers. Similar type of striker though.
Andy Cole was a better finisher.
I wonder if him not starting tonight mneans Southgate is planning to start him against Lithuania.
They are nothing alike really.
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