Manchester United welcome Celta Vigo to Old Trafford with one foot in the Europa League final courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s superb free-kick.
The young England striker had to settle for a place on the bench at Arsenal but is expected to return to lead the line as United protect a 1-0 lead against Celta on Thursday (live on BT Sport 2, 8.05pm).
Here, we assess Rashford’s progress since bursting onto the scene in February 2016.
Immediate impact
The then 18-year-old had expected to be on the bench when United set out to overturn a 2-1 deficit against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League but he ended the night a hero. Rashford was thrust into the spotlight following Anthony Martial’s warm-up injury and he found the net with two composed finishes in United’s 5-1 second-leg win. The product of south Manchester’s Fletcher Moss Rangers proved that was no fluke with another double against Arsenal just three days later. United manager at the time Louis van Gaal said: “What he showed in his second match is special.”
Derby delight
Rashford had earned an extended run in the side and he repaid Van Gaal’s continued support when he netted the only goal in United’s victory at neighbours Manchester City. The teenager evoked memories of Thierry Henry as he skipped away from Martin Demichelis to slide a neat finish beyond Joe Hart. The United frontman ran the Argentina defender ragged and prompted Van Gaal to say: “Rashford is very quick and Demichelis looked like the years are catching up with him.”
International recognition
Rashford finished the season with eight goals in 18 games and was the stand-out name in Roy Hodgson’s 26-man squad for England’s Euro 2016 preparation matches. He needed only two minutes and 18 seconds to get off the mark in international football as he booked his place in the final squad for France with the opener in England’s 2-1 win over Australia. It turned out to be a frustrating tournament for Rashford as the United youngster saw only 20 minutes of action.
Goal drought
Rashford shrugged off his Euro 2016 disappointment to open this campaign with four goals in his first seven appearances. But Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s arrival meant that when Rashford was not on the bench, he was played out wide by new boss Jose Mourinho and the goals disappeared from his game. His brace against Reading in the FA Cup in January ended a 20-game drought for club and country. He scored only once more before rediscovering his goalscoring form in April.
Big chance
❤️⚽️Jose Mourinho: "He's a 19-year-old kid in love with football. He works, he's mature and what matters is not his age but his quality." pic.twitter.com/xO0W99PSfo— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 4, 2017
Last month’s extra-time victory over Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-finals could prove to be a watershed moment in Rashford’s career. He saw Ibrahimovic stretchered off before scoring a 107th-minute winner. The Swedish striker has been United’s go-to man in his first season at Old Trafford and his long-term absence presents an opportunity to Rashford, who stepped up to the plate in Spain to leave United on the brink of the Europa League final. Rashford cannot match Ibrahimovic’s experience or heading ability but he has pace to burn and in time could become as prolific in front of goal as his team-mate. Celta will have identified Rashford as United’s chief threat as they aim to prevent the 19-year-old from winning the third major trophy of his short career.
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