Erik ten Hag dropped Wout Weghorst and Manchester United scored within the Premier League once more. That was no coincidence. Without the non-scoring striker, United as an alternative benefited from a ahead in more and more distinguished firm. Marcus Rashford delivered their first top-flight aim since 19 February, 45 days earlier, restored them to the highest 4 and gained a modicum of revenge for August’s thrashing by Brentford.
In a story of United attackers previous and current, he finds himself in additional distinguished firm than Weghorst. The Dutchman misplaced his one hundred pc file – an unused substitute had been an ever-present within the beginning 11 throughout the 19 earlier video games for which he was obtainable – and retains his 0 p.c one, after by no means scoring within the prime flight for his present membership.
Weghorst has been an incongruous presence as a United striker. Rashford belongs somewhat extra naturally in a grand custom. His 121st United aim moved him degree with Andy Cole. His former supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, on 126, seems catchable by the tip of the season; maybe even by the tip of the month.
Rashford has 28 for the marketing campaign, although it is nonetheless extra exceptional 20 of them have come because the World Cup, and it is the joint most for United in a season since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, matching the tallies achieved by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bruno Fernandes. For weeks, nevertheless, Rashford has regarded set to change into the primary since Robin van Persie to succeed in 30. Then Wayne Rooney’s twin bests of 34 will likely be in his sights.
He has proved prolific whereas creating a conundrum for Ten Hag. For a lot of the time, Rashford has been each his finest left winger and his best obtainable striker. This time the dilemma was resolved by taking part in him via the center; Weghorst’s ineffectual show towards Newcastle led to his belated omission. There had been a component of obstinacy in persisting with the keen loanee for therefore lengthy however the obvious different proved the suitable one.
Rashford made for a sharper, speedier presence, bringing zip within the channels and function within the field.
And, crucially, a aim, United’s first within the league since Leicester had been overcome. A 327-minute drought was ended emphatically. After Brentford cleared a nook, Antony’s ball again into the field was headed down by Marcel Sabitzer and hit on the half-volley by Rashford, lifting his shot into the roof of the online.
It underlined a theme of the season: again and again when United had wanted somebody to supply one thing, Rashford has obliged. They maybe ought to have scored extra targets, with Scott McTominay’s half-volley whizzing over, Antony’s trademark roller going simply vast and the substitute Fred skying a shot, however Rashford’s one sufficed as, for simply the second time in 17 league video games, Thomas Frank’s crew misplaced.
If United’s earlier assembly with Brentford was traumatic, this was somewhat extra cathartic. Their 4-0 August evisceration was harrowing, Sunday’s loss at Newcastle a reminder that unhealthy habits, as Ten Hag had termed them, usually are not absolutely shed. There had been glimpses of a self-destructive streak – when David de Gea slammed a clearance into Ivan Toney, he was relieved to see the rebound fly vast – however the goalkeeper redeemed himself with a very important block from the substitute Kevin Schade.
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In normal, nevertheless, this was a a lot improved show. This time, Brentford didn’t run 13.8km additional than United – not with McTominay masking many a mile in midfield – and comparisons might assist illustrate how far they’ve come. Rewind eight months and the striker to start out towards Brentford was Cristiano Ronaldo: Rashford was on the wing, with out a aim since January however on the cusp of a revival. A darkish day for United got here earlier than a new daybreak for Rashford, who scored within the following week’s win over Liverpool.
Defeats can convey rethinks. Ten Hag made a sole change to the beginning 11 after the Newcastle recreation however rejigged his aspect. With Rashford main the road, Jadon Sancho got here in for Weghorst and introduced a brightness with some jinking runs. The midfield was reconfigured: Sabitzer operated because the No. 10 this time and fared higher than he had on Tyneside.
Rashford reverted to the left wing after a substitution, however the striker introduced on was Anthony Martial, not Weghorst. That stays Ten Hag’s most well-liked configuration however this was simply the Frenchman’s third cameo since January. He has been a spectator for nearly all of Weghorst’s odd reign as United’s common No. 9. But if Martial stays match, if Ten Hag takes the view Rashford’s efficiency is required within the center when he is not on the pitch, it could be over.
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