Marcus Rashford, the renaissance

Marcus Rashford is the only player leading the race for the Golden Boot not guaranteed a start for his country, yet perhaps that is part of the reason he has looked so comfortable in Qatar.

There have been times when he’s been depended on too much by England or Manchester United. Other occasions he’s been left out in the cold. Under Gareth Southgate right now, he has a good balance of opportunity and expectation. The focus has been on Phil Foden, the anticipation around Harry Kane. Raheem Sterling has led England’s attack for years.

Almost quietly, Rashford has been able to make his influence felt again.

Before the World Cup he hadn’t played for England since the European Championships, when he missed a penalty during the shootout, and it is worth remembering he was not assured of even making the squad for Qatar after being omitted from September’s internationals by Southgate.

But the England manager has always rated Rashford, and regarded his explosive potential as especially valuable in the condensed environment of tournament football. There is nobody Southgate could select with the same combination of speed, power, and striking.

Sensing the road ahead Southgate had a meeting with Rashford this summer and, on reflection, that conversation appears to have been pivotal.

“It’s been a challenge for him,” Southgate said after Rashford’s brace against Wales. “I went and saw him in the summer and had a long chat with him. He had some clear ideas on things he felt he needed to think about and to do. You can see at his club there’s been happiness in his performances this year. That’s shown itself on the training ground all the time with us.

“We’ve got a different version completely to the player we had in the Euros last summer. He’s managed to produce those moments tonight. He could have had a hat-trick with the chance in the first half and the one at the near post towards the end. But it’s great for him and it’s great for us.”

Southgate’s attention stretches back further. In the summer of 2021, following a Euros when Rashford played a total of 83 minutes before being sent on in the final seconds of the final against Italy, Southgate had a meeting with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Carrington to understand his situation at United and explain what he wanted for England. The pair spoke about bringing the best out of Rashford in an attacking sense.

Solskjaer would coach Rashford on how to time runs into the box from the left when United attacked from the right, and which types of finish suited various situations. Solskjaer and Kieran McKenna would work on intricate combination plays around the box with their forwards.

There is a feeling that Southgate also wanted more from Rashford off the ball, particularly timing and strategy for pressing. Erik ten Hag has also guided Rashford on those principles, having had an individual talk during United’s pre-season tour, and coaches have noticed Rashford’s desire to compete for 50/50 duals has risen.

That was evidenced in the way Rashford hunted down Ben Davies to provoke a high turnover that resulted in Foden’s goal against Wales. Rashford nicked the ball and Kane supplied a brilliant cross.

Southgate stated Rashford’s commitment in training sessions at the Al Wakrah Sports Complex compelled him to hand the 25-year-old his first competitive start for England since a Nations League game against Denmark in October 2020.

Those who know Rashford have detected a renewed purpose about his approach. It may be stretching things to say he is playing with a point to prove, but as someone who has competed at elite level since the age of 18 there is an inner fire to demonstrate his place among the world’s best.

That did not happen at the Euros, when he made five appearances off the bench. He had gone into that tournament with a shoulder injury but delayed treatment to play for his country, eventually opting for surgery after the match at Wembley. Rashford had not played fully fit for two years and wanted a total remedy.

He returned ahead of schedule from the operation but into a maelstrom at United, with Solskjaer fighting for his job and trying to fit Cristiano Ronaldo into his system.

Solskjaer’s sacking brought the chaos of Ralf Rangnick’s regime, with coaches Chris Armas and Ewan Sharp not up to the job. Rashford scored five goals last season, just two under Rangnick, but only had three full 90 minutes. His position was shuffled around in various formations. Being left out of the starting line-up for the game at Manchester City in March, with Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani also unavailable, was particularly glaring.

Ten Hag has restored order, stipulating the importance of time-keeping and enforcing consequences for poor performances, and those clear instructions from fresh eyes have been helpful to Rashford. He has played off the left, up front, and occasionally on the right, but the structure around has been consistent.

“It’s a complete different energy around the club and the training ground,” Rashford said after scoring against West Ham last month. “That puts me in a better headspace and I just feel really motivated now. That’s the area I was struggling in. I was struggling at times with more mental things. It wasn’t really my own performance but other things off the pitch. That’s the biggest difference from last season.”

He has scored eight times for United so far this season, well on the way to once again hitting the 20-goal mark he surpassed in each of the two seasons prior to 2021-22.

Sessions led by Mitchell van der Gaag have been put on for all players to work on their weaker feet, and it was pleasing for United that two of Rashford’s goals in Qatar have come that way. There was a placed finish with his left against Iran, and a shot with his laces after a neat dribble to add gloss to the Wales win.

That goal echoed his self-created chance against Tottenham in October, a night when Thierry Henry suggested Rashford should have gone for precision over power in at least one of his hat-trick of shots. Certain choices will always be a matter for debate, but what seems important after a year of difficulty is that Rashford is back to his assertive best, running in behind to gain those opportunities to score.

Under Solskjaer United had warm-weather breaks to Marbella and Dubai, which coaches felt were hugely valuable in honing certain aspects of play individually and collectively. Solskjaer had one-to-one sessions with Rashford, some tailored on finishing.

Mike Phelan, assistant to Solskjaer, expanded on this period during a recent talk for his Sensible Soccer YouTube channel. “He enjoys that type of thing,” Phelan said of Rashford. “He wants advice and help along the way. There is nobody better than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to talk to you about being a forward, and being clinical in those moments in a football match.

“Those conversations remain private but they help a player to understand exactly what a manager wants, what a club wants, but also give you belief in what your abilities are in order to deliver. Ole did that in abundance with Marcus.

“I think Marcus is reacting really well now — he is picking up certain things. He’s had a lot of coaches in a short space of time, so he’s had a lot of things going on in his head. He just has to work out what’s good for him and apply it to the football pitch. Full flow he is a terrific asset.”

Speaking before the Iran game, Phelan said: “He wants to be a top, top footballer — there is still a little bit more he can do to achieve that. He’s a quiet sort of guy, he knows his football, he offers a lot to the team when needed. He needs now to settle down, play his game, and be loved.

“All the attributes are there for him to be a sensation if he wants to be in this World Cup. He’s fit, he’s healthy, his form is very, very good for his club. He’s probably gone through phases of ups and downs pretty quickly in his career. But now he’s broken into the England team again and become a pivotal figure again.”

Rashford will forever be the scorer of England’s 100th World Cup goal and he is one appearance away from his 50th cap, earning a place on the wall that greets guests at St George’s Park, the national team base.

Still, such is the abundance of attacking talent in Southgate’s squad, there is a possibility that milestone comes off the bench. Southgate’s fidelity to Sterling, for example, comes from the forward producing a goal or assist under him every 116.5 minutes. Despite not being a regular starter, Rashford has a very similar frequency, as the table below shows, and a better one than the other players in Qatar — aside from Kane, whose record is remarkable. 

England forwards under Southgate

Player

Goals

Assists

Mins

Mins per G/A

Harry Kane

46

18

5043

78.8

Ross Barkley

4

3

810

115.7

Raheem Sterling

18

18

4185

116.5

Jadon Sancho

3

7

1167

116.7

Marcus Rashford

14

6

2340

117

Bukayo Saka

6

5

1494

135.8

Phil Foden

3

6

1240

137.8

Jack Grealish

2

6

1292

161.5

Mason Mount

5

5

2116

211.6

Rashford assuming responsibility to take the free kick that broke the deadlock against Wales was unexpected. His last attempt for England came in September 2018 against Switzerland, and in between nine players have had direct efforts with none successful: Trent Alexander-Arnold (5), Kieran Trippier (3), Reece James (2), James Ward-Prowse (2), Sterling (2), Mason Mount (2), Eric Dier (1), Kane (1), and Foden (1).

Trippier and Dier are the only other players to have scored from a free kick for England since Rashford made his debut in 2016, so there is every chance he takes the next one too.

England free-kick takers since May 2016

Player Direct free-kick shots Direct free-kick goals

Kieran Trippier

8

1

Eric Dier

6

1

Harry Kane

6

0

Trent Alexander-Arnold

6

0

Marcus Rashford

5

1

Wayne Rooney

5

0

Football is the focus for Rashford, after doing wonderful work to force a government U-turn over free school meals. The accusation his form suffered over his lobbying hurt him — his time was carefully managed — but people around him and United feel the exposure the campaign created perhaps added a pressure to perform on the pitch.

Rashford’s social conscience remains, but for the time being he will use his voice to talk about the game.

In the summer he trained for six days at the Nike HQ in Portland, Oregon, to get in shape for pre-season, and he spent quality time with his brothers Dwaine and Dane, rekindling memories of playing football together as a kids.

They are out in Qatar, so too Rashford’s fiancee Lucia Loi. The pair, childhood sweethearts, had broken up during lockdown but got back together last year and Rashford proposed in May. They are building a new house together in Cheshire.

Rashford’s bond with those close to him was displayed when he pointed to the sky after scoring against Wales, in tribute to a friend who died that week after a long battle with cancer. Garfield Hayward lived close by to Rashford growing up in Wythenshawe, an area where locals are proud of his achievements. “He’s always been a big supporter of mine,” said Rashford. “He was just a great person and I’m pleased he came into my life.”

Back at United, the picture is shifting with Ronaldo gone. United are in the market for a new centre-forward but Rashford has played up top under Ten Hag and, for England, has reminded of his adaptability, operating on the left and the right.

Rashford’s contract situation is expected to be addressed once the World Cup is over. His current terms expire in June 2023 and though United have the option to trigger another year, a fresh extension is the priority. So far only initial, informal conversations have taken place about a new deal, with Ten Hag wanting to wait until after the break to survey several players who are approaching the end of contracts.

Ten Hag liked what he saw in Rashford from the outset, and recommitting him for several more years is high on the agenda. As things stand Rashford can talk to foreign clubs in January, so United will have to decide whether they can agree a new contract in that timeframe or if not they will look to amicably activate the 12-month clause in his current deal first, then negotiate.

For now, Rashford’s attention is on enjoying his football with England. He has a huge advocate in Declan Rice. “He’s just lightning quick, his eye for goal, the way he hits the ball — it’s really special, the technique he’s got on him,” Rice said.

“I know he had a tough year last year, but no one ever doubted his quality. To now see him back on the biggest stage doing it makes me really happy, and I know it’s making the team happy as well.

“I think if he keeps making those attacking runs behind the back line — like he does for United — he’s going to keep getting the chances. It would be amazing for him to win the Golden Boot. I’d be delighted for him if he achieved that.”

(Top image: Sam Richardson)