Old Trafford finds a new hero in Rashford
by Agency Staff,
2016-02-29 05:00:00.0
LONDON — Teenage sensation Marcus Rashford took his tally to four goals in two games, as Manchester United compromised Arsenal’s English Premier League title bid with a rousing 3-2 victory on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, who had scored twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, also set up a goal for Ander Herrera, as Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils closed to within three points of the Champions League places.
Arsenal, who scored through Danny Welbeck and Mesut Özil, were left five points below leaders Leicester City, while Tottenham Hotspur moved three points above them by coming from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1.
At Old Trafford, the extent of United’s injury problems was laid bare by a starting XI that saw midfielder Michael Carrick line up at centre-back, while Rashford led the line in the absence of injury victims Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial.
Arsenal, who made three changes from their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona, created the first chance, Özil freeing Nacho Monreal for a shot that David de Gea raced out to block, but it was the hosts who drew first blood in the 29th minute.
Gabriel, brought in for Per Mertesacker, failed to make proper contact as he attempted to clear Guillermo Varela’s inviting right-wing cross and Rashford nervelessly placed the loose ball past Petr Cech.
The United faithful rose to acclaim their new hero and they were off their feet again less than three minutes later when Rashford met Jesse Lingard’s cross with a downward header.
Rashford became the third-youngest player to score a Premier League goal for United, after Federico Macheda and Welbeck, and the latter returned to haunt his former club by reducing the arrears to make it 2-1.
In a repeat of the formula that had yielded a last-gasp winner against Leicester two weeks ago, Özil chipped a free-kick into the box and Welbeck stooped to head home. It was the German’s 18th assist of the campaign.
United lost Marcos Rojo to an apparent ankle injury early in the first half, which saw 18-year-old Dutch defender Tim Fosu-Mensah come on for his club debut. Wenger sent on Olivier Giroud for the ineffective Theo Walcott in the 63rd minute, but two minutes later United extended their lead.
Rashford rolled the ball into the path of Herrera, whose first-time curler from outside the box was deflected past Cech by the flying Laurent Koscielny. Özil gave Arsenal hope with 21 minutes left, following in to volley home after De Gea had parried from Welbeck.
But the hosts held firm, and Van Gaal had the home fans roaring in their seats as he mimicked a dive to fourth official Mike Dean on the touchline in protest at what he felt was a piece of simulation by an Arsenal player.
United are now three points below fourth-place Manchester City, who will have a game in hand after playing Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley later on Sunday.
Tottenham, who began the day level with Arsenal, fell behind in the 19th minute to Swansea when Alberto Paloschi seized on Angel Rangel’s deflected shot to score. But Nacer Chadli turned in Kyle Walker’s cross to equalise in the 70th minute and Danny Rose completed the comeback seven minutes later when he drilled home from distance following a corner.
AFP
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford applauds fans after the match. Picture: REUTERS
LONDON — Teenage sensation Marcus Rashford took his tally to four goals in two games, as Manchester United compromised Arsenal’s English Premier League title bid with a rousing 3-2 victory on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, who had scored twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, also set up a goal for Ander Herrera, as Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils closed to within three points of the Champions League places.
Arsenal, who scored through Danny Welbeck and Mesut Özil, were left five points below leaders Leicester City, while Tottenham Hotspur moved three points above them by coming from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1.
At Old Trafford, the extent of United’s injury problems was laid bare by a starting XI that saw midfielder Michael Carrick line up at centre-back, while Rashford led the line in the absence of injury victims Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial.
Arsenal, who made three changes from their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona, created the first chance, Özil freeing Nacho Monreal for a shot that David de Gea raced out to block, but it was the hosts who drew first blood in the 29th minute.
Gabriel, brought in for Per Mertesacker, failed to make proper contact as he attempted to clear Guillermo Varela’s inviting right-wing cross and Rashford nervelessly placed the loose ball past Petr Cech.
The United faithful rose to acclaim their new hero and they were off their feet again less than three minutes later when Rashford met Jesse Lingard’s cross with a downward header.
Rashford became the third-youngest player to score a Premier League goal for United, after Federico Macheda and Welbeck, and the latter returned to haunt his former club by reducing the arrears to make it 2-1.
In a repeat of the formula that had yielded a last-gasp winner against Leicester two weeks ago, Özil chipped a free-kick into the box and Welbeck stooped to head home. It was the German’s 18th assist of the campaign.
United lost Marcos Rojo to an apparent ankle injury early in the first half, which saw 18-year-old Dutch defender Tim Fosu-Mensah come on for his club debut. Wenger sent on Olivier Giroud for the ineffective Theo Walcott in the 63rd minute, but two minutes later United extended their lead.
Rashford rolled the ball into the path of Herrera, whose first-time curler from outside the box was deflected past Cech by the flying Laurent Koscielny. Özil gave Arsenal hope with 21 minutes left, following in to volley home after De Gea had parried from Welbeck.
But the hosts held firm, and Van Gaal had the home fans roaring in their seats as he mimicked a dive to fourth official Mike Dean on the touchline in protest at what he felt was a piece of simulation by an Arsenal player.
United are now three points below fourth-place Manchester City, who will have a game in hand after playing Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley later on Sunday.
Tottenham, who began the day level with Arsenal, fell behind in the 19th minute to Swansea when Alberto Paloschi seized on Angel Rangel’s deflected shot to score. But Nacer Chadli turned in Kyle Walker’s cross to equalise in the 70th minute and Danny Rose completed the comeback seven minutes later when he drilled home from distance following a corner.
AFP
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