Man Utd 3-0 Leicester: Marcus Rashford chasing greatness after surpassing one record with another in sight
Marcus Rashford once again proved to be the difference as Manchester United ran out 3-0 winners against Leicester City at Old Trafford this afternoon.
The 25-year-old forward is enjoying a career-defining season having now registered 24 goals in all competitions, which represents his most productive single campaign return for the Red Devils, with 16 of those having come (across 17 appearances) since returning from Qatar – most of any player in the big five European leagues.
Most goals scored in a season for Man Utd in the last five seasons:
◎ 28 – Bruno Fernandes (2020/21)
◉ 24 – Marcus Rashford (2022/23)
◎ 24 – Cristiano Ronaldo (2021/22)
◎ 23 – Anthony Martial (2019/20)
◎ 22- Marcus Rashford (2019/20)MR10 on track to break the 30 mark. pic.twitter.com/ouLV0BgopK
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) February 19, 2023
Before their Camp Nou duel with Barcelona in the Europa League earlier this week, Blaugrana head coach Xavi even described the Mancunian forward as “dangerous”, with his own manager Erik ten Hag conceding he doesn’t know when the goals will dry up.
For those seeing the world in United red and black, they’re hoping this purple patch can turn into something menacing, akin to modern-era scoring machines à la Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski all of whom showing the wherewithal to regularly finish a campaign with 40 or 50 plus goals.
Once maligned, the England international stretched his current scoring run to five games, and by opening the scoring against Brendan Rodgers’ men Rashford would net at Old Trafford for the seventh consecutive league game.
To put this streak in some perspective, only Wayne Rooney (eight between December 2009 and March 2010) and Cristiano Ronaldo (10 between March and November 2008) have scored in more consecutive outings for United at their home ground in competition history.
“There were question marks about whether Man Utd would keep Marcus Rashford, it seems unthinkable now, he’s back!” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports commentary following Rashford’s second which looked to be on the edge of offside. The in-form ‘number 10’ has truly felt at home this season. He’s now scored 17 goals at Old Trafford in all competitions – the most by a player in a single season for the club since Rooney in 2011/12 (19).
Rashford also played a pivotal counter-attacking role in Jadon Sancho’s goal which trebled United’s lead. Coming on as the second half got underway Sancho’s effort meant United have now scored a league-high nine Premier League goals via substitutes this season, while no side has conceded more goals to subs than Leicester (eight).
Marcus Rashford's game by numbers vs. Leicester:
0.98 xG
100% pass accuracy
8 touches in opp. box
5 shots
4 duels won
3 shots on target
2 successful take-ons
2 goalsIn the form of his life. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wyGqBD2ikZ
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 19, 2023
Going off to a standing ovation in the 69th minute, Rashford has now scored eight goals in 15 top-flight meetings against the Foxes, who are ruing David de Gea as well. The shot-stopper rolled back the years with some eye-catching important saves to keep the score level at 0-0 before Rashford’s deadlock opener.
On the flip side, Danny Ward kept the scoreline respectable, with him denying United on several occasions most notably Wout Weghorst, the defensive-minded Dutch marksman yet to open his Premier League scoring account.
Ten Hag’s side will regroup ahead of their Europa League round of 32 second leg against Barça, tie firmly balanced 2-2, before contesting for the first piece of silverware this season when they’ll meet Newcastle United with the EFL Cup on the line at Wembley.
