Definitely agree that Rashford is not ready to be our main 9 full time yet and would certainly not produced on Zlatan's level in terms of production (which is exactly why I'd advocate for a new one this summer whether Zlatan stays or goes). And even though he had seen his fair share of games this season and has done reasonably well overall, it would have been nice to see him get more opportunities upfront, even just to spell Zlatan. Something we've seen too little of so far, in my opinion.
it's anecdotal but i feel like a lot of his goals last year were very close to the goalie's body - that can always go either way as you need a bit of luck (e.g. below the armpits, through the legs, etc.). if you look at say, aguero, in 1v1 situations, he slots in areas where the goalie can't even reach - so much so that they often barely move. now, i understand that aguero is a killer and that comparison is unfair at this stage of rashford's career but i'm just saying the boy is not ready yet. if zlatan doesn't come back next year, i'd still want another star #9.
I don't think anyone is arguing that Rashford is ready to be the starting 9 in the near future. However, I think he could log major minutes if we transition to a two forward system which is possible if Jose wants to go forward with this 3-4-3/3-5-2 formation we've been employing in recent weeks.
Precisely, nobody is saying Rashford over Zlatan full time. But he certainly deserves minutes. Again, if not finishing clear chances were a reason for exclusion, Zlatan would be in the reserves.
can't say whether you are right or wrong in this regard but I do remeber that chance he missed against Chelsea (i think) one v one when he ran off a defender and go tthe ball on his left and laced it low and hard. almost like he is playing the percentages rather than "finishing" he does need to be playing though as he can't improve his finishing from the bench. Mou is stunting his growth not giving him more minutes.
I think Rashford should play with the England u21'squad depending on if we have other options signed.
3 games is not enough to get into a groove, but despite really good flashes, Marcus hasn't really done well in this short stint.
He has done ok, but as you famously said once re Zlatan, a striker is judged on goals and the truth is, he hasn't delivered on that front in 3 games. His run is over but we have to hope that Jose will turn to him more at CF than he has so far to spell Zlatan.
Marcus just turned19 last October. Whatever his potential may be, he's simply not ready yet to lead United.
I do not dispute his lack of goals. The fundamental role of a striker is to score goals and anything else they offer to the team is an added bonus. What I will say is being thrown into a team designed solely for Ibrahimovic, who is a completely different type of player, and one in which we have messed around with systems and personnel over the three games is not ideal. On the plus side he has done his best, created chances and has forced the keepers into making good saves instead of fluffing his lines. Given his lack of game time previously and the circumstances he has done as well as could be expected. Hopefully Mourinho now recognises he needs to utilise him more.
11 year old with a dream... pic.twitter.com/9gPjmViyph— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) April 10, 2017
His stage of development is not the issue. Our style of play is. The current team and system is not designed for a #9 making penetrative forward runs.
Marcus Rashford offers Manchester United a brighter, faster future https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...rs-manchester-united-a-brighter-faster-future
2 goals in his last 2 games: going to be a lot to ask him to carry us, but if he's truly coming into some form the way he's looked this week, United are going to have to ride him hard the rest of the way. Just hoping that the likes of Martial, Rooney, Lingard and even Miki can all step up to the plate enough to give him the support he's going to need, but there is no doubt that Rashford is the one we're going to have to count on primarily the rest of the way.
Poor finishing is something that has plagued the whole team this season. That being said, Rashford appears to be playing with confidence and real hunger again. And hopefully, that, coupled with the knowledge he is our guy upfront the rest of the way, will bring back the player who seemingly couldn't do no wrong at the end of last season.
He needs to relax. He is putting himself under pressure. He needs a partner as well. I can't wait for him to mature. He is the type of forward we need. If we can surround him with the right talent, he could be special.
Marcus was clean through on the Anderlecht keeper (can't recall if it was before or after he was wrongly called offside) but his last touch failed him. The 19-year-old boy wonder will work through this soon enough. The pressure on Marcus will be a fact of life until someone else steps up. Hopefully Anthony, probably Henrikh...but possibly Wayne. Easier said that done, but we have to do much better on converting on the ridiculous number of glorious chances we continue to create, match after match. At least in Europa League play, as it seems unlikely that either Liverpool and City will suffer a calamitous collapse in their last few games.