Marcus Rashford was once again Manchester United’s hero in a dramatic 2-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday, maintaining a remarkable revival in Erik ten Haag’s first season in charge.
Rashford’s winner secured a ninth consecutive win for the Red Devils since Cristiano Ronaldo’s last game for the club in November.
Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure threatened to derail the progress being made under Ten Haag.
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But away from the melodrama surrounding the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, United are flourishing with Rashford at the center.
The England international now has 16 goals for United this season and has scored in nine straight games at Old Trafford.
Rashford looked to be injured during the first half against City, but fought back to score the decisive goal eight minutes from time.
Ten Haag said, “He is unstoppable.”
The victory was all the more sweet for United as it came just three months after a humiliating 6–3 defeat in Ten Haag’s first taste of the Manchester derby.
– ‘The proper team’ –
United have lost just once in 19 games since finishing third in the Premier League and are looking to end six years without a trophy in the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Few would have noticed that Ten Haag’s reign got off to a disastrous start with embarrassing defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
But the Dutchman is quickly making a mark in restoring United’s old standards on and off the field.
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Even in the midst of his scoring streak, Rashford was dropped for last month’s 1-0 win over Wolves after turning up late to a team meeting.
Seriously, Ten Haag’s discipline demands have been accepted by his players.
“We look like a team now,” Bruno Fernandes told BT.
United could have easily broken through after City took control of the game after half-time and got their reward when Jack Grealish headed home Kevin De Bruyne’s cross on the hour mark.
Ten Haag’s men found the slice of luck they needed when Fernandes’ controversial equalizer was allowed to stand despite Rashford being clearly offside as they both ran over Casemiro’s ball.
With City still rocking, Rashford took full advantage of a predatory finish from Alejandro Garnacho’s pass in scenes reminiscent of United’s glory days under Alex Ferguson.
In the 10 years since Ferguson’s departure, United have never finished above City in the Premier League.
Just a point now separates the Manchester giants and league leaders Arsenal now have United in their sights ahead of their trip to the Emirates next weekend.
“One of the main tasks for the manager, the coaching staff, is to work on the mentality of the team,” Ten Haag said. It has a lot of elements and one of them is flexibility.
“This team is making a lot of progress in dealing with setbacks, pain, painful moments, such as against goals. On the pitch we have players who have the experience that things can change in an instant.”
Ten Haag has already made sweeping changes in his first six months in charge.
But his most impressive effect has been in restoring the confidence of a player who has been at the club throughout his career.
Rashford scored just five goals last season as his fitness and form deserted him after the arrival of Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho pushed him down the pecking order.
Now he is emerging as United’s main man on the occasion.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)