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Can Marcus Rashford inspire Manchester United to Manchester Derby victory?

Erik ten Hag is slowly but surely turning the tide at Manchester United, following an inauspicious start to life at Old Trafford and he has Rashford to thank for the recent run of form that has seen them remain in the hunt for 4 trophies.

In the Premier League, United remain 9 points off the pace in the title race but they have made ground on the sides above them and currently sit in 4^th place, and qualifying for Champions League next year very much within their grasp.

A huge part of that has been Rashford’s resurgence in front of goal.

In the 2021/22 Premier League season, Rashford could only conjure up 4 league goals in 25 appearances. In 17 games played so far this term, the former Fletcher Moss striker has 7 goals – 4 of which have come in United’s last 6 games, which have yielded 6 wins.

Away from the cut and thrust of the Premier League, Rashford has also been hugely instrumental in recent weeks in propelling United through in both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup – two opportunities for trophies that United simply can’t turn their noses up at having not won any trophy since 2017.

Late goals against Everton in the FA Cup and Charlton in the EFL Cup may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things but they are only underlining just how confident Rashford currently is in front of goal for United and how important his presence could be for the Red Devils between now and the end of the season.

Things are looking positive for Manchester United, currently in the midst of an 8-game winning run in all competitions but as is always the way in football, a stern test awaits around the corner.

Saturday afternoon will see Manchester United meet Manchester City, the side that have taken over the mantle of dominance in the city over the past 10 years.

With confidence high in Salford, United will be looking to get one over on their local rivals, and could it be the presence of the in-form Marcus Rashford that makes the difference?

Mind the Gap

It may not making pretty reading for United fans but the facts are clear for all to see.

Since winning their last Premier League title back in 2013, Manchester United have mustered up a rather paltry 4 trophies for their billions of fans – one of which was the 2016 Community Shield.
By contrast, City have been the dominant force in English football, winning 14 trophies in total – including 5 Premier League titles.

This has been tough for United fans to take and whilst those who support the reds intently will always be vocal about how Liverpool are their bitterest rivals, the chasm that has been created between City and United has become seismic.

Whilst chants of ‘Mind the Gap’ from City fans to their United counterparts will always be sung with tongue firmly in cheek, the reality of the situation is that City are now expected to win in every meeting they have with United – regardless of whether it is at Old Trafford or the Etihad Stadium. United have actually lost more Premier League home fixtures against City than any other team.

However, Manchester united enter this derby in fantastic form and will be looking to give The Citizens a tough challenge and it could be moments of individual brilliance from in-form players such as Marcus Rashford that prove to be the difference.

Stopping the Haaland Bandwagon

For as impressive as Marcus Rashford has been in recent weeks for both Manchester United and England at the World Cup, his goal scoring record pales into insignificance in comparison to Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian has hit the ground running in English football, notching a remarkable 21 goals in just 16 Premier League games – leaving him fully on course to be the top scorer in the division this term.

And it was only back in November, when City ran riot against United – winning 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium, with Haaland and Phil Foden bagging hat-tricks.

Only three sides have managed to stop Haaland scoring this season in the league, Brentford, Chelsea and Bournemouth – testament to the size of the job the United defence have on their hands in the Manchester Derby.

If they can stop the Haaland bandwagon however, then they will be feeling confident of picking up a result against the defending Premier League champions.

Regardless of how it pans out, it promises to be a fascinating fixture at Old Trafford. Is Marcus Rashford primed and ready to tear into City? Or will Haaland show him how its done?

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