Manchester Evening News: Rashford Could Become Manchester United’s Regular Starter on the Left This Season

According to the Manchester Evening News, Rashford could become Manchester United’s regular starter on the left flank this season.

After Rashford returned last weekend, Carrick handed him his second start, against Everton. The 28-year-old forward kept Everton defender Lerma under pressure throughout the match. He was substituted for Dorgu after 20 minutes, and Manchester United’s attacking threat also decreased.

Dorgu had left a good impression with his performances on the left last season. He started the season opener against Hull City but was replaced by Rashford at halftime, after which Rashford also started against Ipswich Town and Everton.

On Monday’s Manchester is Red podcast, Manchester Evening News journalists Steven Railston and Tyrone Marshall discussed Rashford’s performance at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Railston said: “Let’s start by talking about some of the positives from this game. Rashford was really good in this match, wasn’t he? And it’s interesting now, he has obviously played three consecutive games. Two weeks ago when I watched the Hull City game in person, he came on as a substitute in the second half; he started against Ipswich, and he started again in this game.”

“He has come back into the team, wearing the No. 9 shirt, and there have been some positive signs. We have talked before about the questions surrounding why he was substituted, but after Carrick explained it at the press conference, the situation became clear.”

“From what I saw on the pitch, I think he was genuinely a little tired at that point. People saw him asking for an energy drink. Considering he has not started many matches, a drop in fitness level is normal. But seeing Rashford playing well and looking threatening on the pitch is a positive sign in itself.”

Marshall replied: “Yes, I think so too. We have been discussing Dorgu throughout the summer, but we also have to remember that his sample size on the left is actually very small.”

“I remember that under Carrick last season, he only started three games on the left, and he was not very noticeable when he started against Hull City either. You can clearly see Rashford is a level above. I thought he was excellent in this game.”

“We have previously discussed whether he should be brought back into the team this summer and the cost of his place on the wage bill, but after watching this performance, if you were looking for a left winger who could provide this level of output in the market now, you would have to spend at least £70 million.”

“Manchester United have almost picked up one for free because he was already here. He also looks very focused and committed now. I think his defensive work against Ipswich was especially noticeable, and his performance was very good.”

“His partnership with Luke Shaw quickly found its rhythm again, and it did not take long for them to reconnect. There was a good move in the opening 20 minutes or so: Rashford stayed close to the touchline, stretched the position wide and created space, while Luke Shaw overlapped from behind, and Rashford delivered a beautiful pass to find him.”

“However, I think one smart thing Luke Shaw did afterwards was not looking for Rashford too much for a long period, because it quickly became clear that Rashford had the upper hand in his one-on-one battles with Lerma.”

“He did not need a left-back to overlap and bring another defender into the situation. I think Luke Shaw was very smart; what he was doing for those 20 to 30 minutes was essentially saying: ‘Okay, you do it yourself, you don’t need me, keep taking him one-on-one.’”