Manchester United: 'Important' Marcus Rashford shows he can be a winner



Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal.

The mood of the day was summed up by the "Fergieee timeeeee" celebration posted on Marcus Rashford's social media feed half an hour after the final whistle in Manchester United's victory over West Ham.

This was a big win for United, following on from Wednesday's victory.

It was a difficult game against teams who were able to pick something close to the team that got them into the top four, and who had a week's rest compared to United's two days.

A game that entered its final minute of injury time seemingly certain to end goalless, until Marcus Rashford arrived at the far post to turn home Edinson Cavani's low cross.

Fans were still enjoying the goal after the final whistle.

It has been a difficult season. A win against West Ham won't solve all their problems. They will be able to enter the international break feeling good about themselves.

The same could be said for him.

Until his strike against Brentford in the week before Christmas, he had not scored in 11 matches.

Those close to the young man were urging him to go back to basics and run at opponents with his electric pace, as he had done in the past.

After the season he has gone through, the social media post on Saturday was almost as personal as the one he released in real time as he ran away to celebrate his match-winner.

It's the first time since December 2020 that he's scored in consecutive games.

The predatory move he took on Saturday was not always instinctive to a player who prefers to play on the left and cut in rather than play through the middle.

The best way to use Rashford's pace and eye for goal is not being found by Ralf Rangnick. He is certain that the forward is a major weapon.

It's all about confidence.

"He is one of the top strikers in England, an England international who played in the Euros," the interim Manchester United manager said.

He has everything a modern strikers needs. He's got the size and strength of a forward.

It's all about confidence for strikers. I'm pretty sure the two goals will have raised Marcus' confidence, and now it's about taking steps.

He can play a very important role for the rest of the season.

Since his return from shoulder surgery, Marcus Rashford has five goals in 17 games, but is still a long way off from his previous two seasons.

With a break of nearly two weeks before the FA Cup fourth round tie against Middlesbrough on 4 February, he has some time to work with Rangnick to become the most effective version of himself.

He proved he can be a top-class forward. He needs to show that he is a winner in order to be appreciated at a club where winning trophies used to be an annual event.

The Manchester United player has scored in back-to-back games.

After four seasons without a trophy, Rashford is ready to take on the challenge.

He said that winning a game like that is the best feeling in football.

Winning games is the most important thing for our confidence.

We have a lot to play for. We want to get a trophy.

We have the quality to win games if we keep doing our best on the pitch.