Marcus Rashford - Underrated #2

by Chris

It's a Saturday morning. Soccer Saturday's blaring with the engaging opinions of Merson, Thompson, Nicholas and the like, but this Saturday was different. This Saturday was not just any game. It was the game.

The dreaded margin for error is minuscule. Win, draw, or devastation. Just a game? This game brings that saying to its very tightest boundary. It's Liverpool. It's Manchester United. It's the ultimate contest of passion, desire and success.

Nervously I just knew it would never be Liverpool's day, but how the goals came were inexplicable. Never would I have thought that, however good David de Gea is, he would play a leading role in the two goals scored by the subject, Marcus Rashford.

A kick was launched straight on to the head of the towering Belgian Lukaku, and was expertly set up and finished by the golden boy, to the fault of the previous subject on  'Underrated', Dejan Lovren, who certainly undid his praise which I gave him last week, and young full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

It was 'DeGea'-vu for the second goal a few minutes later, as the Spaniard launched to Lukaku, who controlled and sold Lovren amicably, promptly and professionally, before sliding through Mata. He was intercepted by Van Dijk before Rashford's effort deflected in off young Alexander-Arnold.

Although the game was surrounded by controversy on the decision making of Craig Pawson, there is no denying that Mourinho's United were just better at the basic stuff. Liverpool could have drawn or won the game, so could United, it was just that sort of game which could have gone either way.

So, after that rambling introduction, finally, the subject of the piece. Even as a lifelong Liverpool supporter, I've always had a soft spot for those who come through the youth systems, like Rashford, especially at a huge club like Manchester United. Thrown into a United side in a Europa League game against F.C Midtjylland which they trailed, Rashford starred and scored in a 5-1 win, and did the same for the rest of the reign of Louis Van Gaal.

There was always the question - Mourinho arrives, bringing Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic with him. Rashford in or out? Put him on loan? Play him out wide when he is a natural striker? That seemed like the only option, as he was just too good to let go on loan. He played more times than any other outfield United player last season, in actual fact. In his right position? In his most prominent role? No.

I have to be honest with you all. I heavily dislike Jose Mourinho, but one cannot deny his CV and record. But is his 'systems before players' attitude holding talents such as Rashford back, as he doesn't really fit in with it. Could a world-class talent be being wasted? It's okay for players such as Scott McTominay, who I'm also a big admirer of, who fits into the system automatically. Rashford will never in his dreams get ahead of Lukaku in that central role, so will he have to hamper his progress to get in the side? I think so.

People will also ask - Would Rashford flourish more at another club? It depends for me. He wouldn't get in the Liverpool team, probably wouldn't get in the Chelsea or Spurs sides, and certainly wouldn't get in the City side, so would he have to drop deeper to realise his potential? Take one step back to step two forward, so to speak. This is an option.

There are so many questions. So many questions in such a short career. Who knows what the future holds for Marcus Rashford? I certainly hope it will prove bright as a youth product, alongside players like Kane, Alexander-Arnold, Lingard, and Winks in the national side regularly in the next few years. In 5 years time, if they're all playing for their hometown clubs, it will be a joy to behold.

Thanks for reading, and do check out the previous edition of 'Underrated', on Rashford's rival Dejan Lovren.