Thierry Henry pinpoints what Marcus Rashford is doing wrong in front of goal
Rashford #Rashford
Thierry Henry has told Marcus Rashford ‘power is not always the answer’ after seeing the Manchester United striker denied a goal against Tottenham.
United dominated Spurs with second-half goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes sealing a 2-0 win that leaves Erik ten Hag’s side within touching distance of the top four.
United have 19 efforts on goal in the first-half with Hugo Lloris forced into a number of fine saves to keep the home side out.
Rashford was denied on one of those occasions, fed through by Fred and firing low and across goal only for Lloris to get down and keep it out.
The 24-year-old was denied in a similar position in the second-half, this time cutting inside with the Tottenham goalkeeper pushing his effort away again.
Analysing Rashford’s first-half effort, Arsenal legend Henry was critical of Rashford for opting for power over finesse, insisting every striker should learn how to ‘freeze’ the goalkeeper before pulling the trigger.
‘He could have done better,’ Henry told Amazon Prime.
‘This is what I say, when this ball is coming to you, have a look at the goalkeeper to freeze him. Strikers don’t do that often, the ball is coming to you, you know it, you have look at the goalkeeper to freeze him and he never looked.
‘What you do normally, he just fires low and across. Power is not always the answer.’
Henry also questioned Rashford’s approach for his second-half effort, where the England international cut inside his man looking to drill one in the far corner.
‘You open the ball up, just finish it,’ Henry said. ‘Place it down here. Why hard? Side foot, goal, see you later. But it was right at him [the goalkeeper]. But great save from Hugo.’
Rashford is United’s top scorer with five goals this season, picked to lead the line against Tottenham ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 37-year-old still managed to steal some of the headlines however after walking down the tunnel while the match was still going on.
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