Marcus Rashford's Manchester derby started brilliantly but ended poorly. Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images
Rarely has such a delightful goal had a more rotten postscript. Judging by the final whistle, Marcus Rashford hardly resembled the figure who produced one of the greatest strikes of any Manchester derby. That faraway look returned as he walked down the tunnel towards another bitter United reckoning. Yes, a disappointing finish, but it wasn't just City's three second-half goals that dampened his spirits. He eventually followed up his wonder strike with two poor chances, leading to Anthony being substituted with 15 minutes remaining. Truly, he is an eternal mystery.
As Rashford made way, the television cameras instantly zeroed in on Gareth Southgate here in the stands at the Etihad. The juxtaposition was no coincidence: the winger, who had once been a failed starter for his country, had, as a result of his recent struggles, become an at-best team member, creating a dilemma for the England manager who had supported him. His problems were exacerbated by the performance of his national teammate Phil Foden. Where Foden shone constantly for City, Rashford's light shone only fleetingly.
Gareth Southgate was in the stands at Etihad Credit : Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images
Even before Rashford sent United fans into delirium with one elegant swipe of his right boot, he delivered a sharp rebuke to his many critics. “If you support me, fine,” he said. “If you doubt me, then even better.” This was the very subtle subtext of his celebration as he raced to the far side and pointed a finger at his temple, as if to emphasize his psychological strength. But the glow of justification could not last long.
Marcus Rashford, this is a SENSATION! 🔥🤯 pic.twitter.com/FW6jYbGdhe
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 3, 2024
Before he knew it, Rashford had a priceless opportunity to double United's lead (though that might have been absurd in the context of City's dominance) and had his lines wildly unraveling. Having burst through the middle, he was unable, still soaking up the euphoria of the breakthrough, to gain control of the ball and avoid danger. Just before City equalized, he had a second opportunity to counter and was left with only Kyle Walker to beat. The reaction was half-hearted: face to face with the fastest player in the Premier League, he collapsed in a heap.
Although Rashford was adamant he was cut, reviews were less convincing. Erik ten Hag protested extensively on his behalf, earning a warning for his troubles and later reflecting: «It may have been gentle, but there was contact.» From that point on, United's goalscorer virtually disappeared from view, suffering the humiliation of being replaced by Anthony, an £85m passenger who is undoubtedly one of the club's worst signings of the last 25 years. The manager insisted there were mitigating circumstances and explained why both Rashford and Jonny Evans were selected for the derby despite their injuries.
Sometimes you wonder if immediate mitigation would benefit Rashford. His first-person piece last week, entitled «Who I Really Am,» smacked of a man struggling to cope with even justified criticism of his behavior on the field, which sometimes amounts to idleness. “My family gave up money that changed my life so I could wear this badge,” he bristled. Roy Keane, United's captain so desperately needed to stop the club's descent into dysfunction, was particularly unimpressed by the comment.
«I wouldn't be happy to hear about the sacrifices he's made, the money he's given up,» Keane said after United's performance, which underlined the apparent gulf with City. «Is he Ok. A lot of fans who go to games week after week say the same thing, so maybe Marcus needs to think about it, think, “Maybe there are times when I don't shut people down.” There are high hopes for the last couple of seasons in which he has scored a lot of goals. United want to see more of this. Sometimes you really need to take a closer look at yourself. There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve.”
“Marcus needs to think” 🙄
Roy Keane wants to see more from Marcus Rashford 🗣 photo. twitter.com/AV8nwgFefT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 3, 2024
By Keen's standards, this was a mitigating effect. It was not the kind of gut-wrenching cruelty he once reserved for Harry Maguire and David De Gea when he deemed them insufficiently committed to United's cause. He seemed to genuinely care about Rashford, recognizing that amid the headlines of the Belfast party and the Carrington car crash, a rare talent was still struggling to overcome the pitfalls of fame.
Also, anyone who has watched United's recent failure against City confirms that Rashford is far from their No. 1 headache. His struggles can be seen as symptoms of a wider malaise at his club, where mediocrity is too easily accepted and where a perpetual irritant like Bruno Fernandes is somehow seen as a viable successor to Keane as captain.
Rashford does. do not deserve new condemnation after such a result. He scored a goal that immediately entered the canon of derby wonders, even if it was destined to be a footnote for defeat. What was frustrating, however, was that this masterstroke was preceded by some all-too-familiar mistakes. United are desperate for Rashford to become a difference maker. Instead, he is portrayed as a man who flashes excitingly into life and then disappears madly.
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