Rashford adds finishing touch to become complete striker

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AFP London
Last Updated : Dec 14 2019 | 10:05 AM IST

Marcus Rashford has always had the tools to become a world-class forward. Now he has added a clinical touch to his searing pace and box of tricks.

The 22-year-old already has 13 goals for United this season -- equalling his best-ever return for the club in a single campaign and is the undisputed leader of the team's attack.

Just weeks ago Rashford was struggling for goals in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's misfiring team, finding the net just once between the opening day of the season and the match against Liverpool on October 20.

But then things clicked for the former United trainee and he has scored regularly for club and country, including three in his past two appearances, against Tottenham and defending champions Manchester City.

His goals have lifted United to fifth in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, after an unbeaten run of five Premier League games, with Everton to come at home on Sunday.

Playing mostly on the left side of United's lightning-quick attack alongside Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Daniel James, Rashford frightens defenders with his blistering pace and trickery.

Solskjaer spoke in glowing terms of Rashford after his two goals in the recent 2-1 win against Tottenham.

"The boy is 22 and he played like he was in the backyard, garden or playground with his mates," said United's Norwegian boss, who has compared his attributes with former United player Cristiano Ronaldo, who also took time to become a prolific goalscorer.

"Sometimes, maybe, there is expectation and pressure on him because we do expect a lot from him, as he has shown (what he can do) so many times."
"It's something that I speak about quite often a lot with my brothers who see me play all the way through. I always say if you're trying too hard to do it then you're not quite at your maximum."
- Centre-forward dream -
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"Number nine is obviously the dream but for me in this day and age now, it's ideal to be as effective as you are in number nine, on the left and the right."

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First Published: Dec 14 2019 | 10:05 AM IST

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