Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford made his return to the starting line-up for the first time since the defeat at Newcastle earlier this month.
Fans had hoped his re-introduction amid form and illness related absences would impact the team in a positive way.
There was no such luck, with the England international continuing to grow frustrated as his 2023/24 goal drought continued.
There was one moment early in the first half against Aston Villa with the game scoreless, which summed up Marcus Rashford‘s recent slump.
Marcus Rashford shows frustration
As early as the 18th minute, Marcus Rashford was seen waving his arms in the air when he did not receive the pass he was looking for.
It was a moment that sparked criticism from bemused commentator Ally McCoist, who expressed exasperation speaking to Amazon Prime.
He said: “I’ve got to say that I am happy to see Marcus Rashford making the run in behind there. But, what is not a good sign at all is the way he threw his arms up in the air after not receiving the ball.
“You don’t throw your hand in the air and let the crowd know you’re unhappy. That’s the one thing you don’t do.
“One of his teammates should have a word with him about that.”
What was the most disconcerting about Rashford’s actions was that it was so early on in the game, when the scores were level.
His body language was heavily criticised in his last start against Newcastle, and you would think he would come into this fixture making a point of trying to show his positivity.
United conceded two quickfire goals from set pieces, to make an even more difficult night a lot harder, before a remarkable fightback.
Rashford turned it around
While fair to criticise and question Rashford for entering the game in a frustrated mood, he does deserve some real credit for seeming to snap himself out of it.
Rashford was one of the Manchester United players who did pose a threat at goal, having two shots on target in the first half once Villa had gone 2-0 up, and another just wide.
To his credit he was trying to make things happen all the time, and he had an assist in the second half when Alejandro Garnacho turned in his cross to pull a goal back. It would have been two assists, if Garnacho had timed his run a little better for a disallowed goal.
He was substituted in the 79th minute to applause from supporters, with commentator McCoist reflecting that he had been ‘good’ after the opening 25 minutes.
Rashford himself has just two goals for Manchester United this season in all competitions, neither of which have come at Old Trafford.
They do say ‘a rising tide lifts all ships’, and a victory for Manchester United may just help Rashford’s confidence rise, knowing he played a part.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/O4Cdn5T