23 Mar 2017 18:22:29
I wanted to reflect on the Rashford debate before commenting. So, here goes

My admiration for Rashford should be pretty well know, I was peed off when we bought Zlatan as I realised Rash would get a lot less game time. However, is he any good?

He was thrown in as an unknown into some big games and he played without fear scoring some important and impressive goals. Let's remember he is still a teenager, very few at that age look like the finished article. He has pace to burn, a great humble attitude, and apparently a willingness to learn and wait his turn.

I have seen Welbeck's name mentioned. Seriously? Bambi has never looked the part for me, an occasional good goal doesn't disguise two left feet. Rashford is way better than Danny at the same age. I know we want our own to succeed and since the class of '92 we haven't produced a real top talent but so what? Does that mean we won't ever do so again?

Rashford needs nurturing, coaching, and investing in. He has all the attributes including being grounded to make a great player. He won't lead the goal scoring charts this year, next year, the year after but he epitomises everything I want in a player. Remember the Iceland game? He scared the crap out of them in the 10 minutes he was given, imagine if he had been given half an hour.

To lump him in with every other "local hope" we had is misguided. Jesse is making the most of what he has, we have had many others go on to careers with other clubs, but let's give the boy a chance and a good run and see how he does.

I think he is the real deal and we need to let him prove it.

{Ed004's Note - I agree. I'm really looking forward to watching Rashford, Martial and hopefully Shaw + Mensah developing. This along with with the signings we have been making will hopefully lead us to a few titles}

1.) 23 Mar 2017
23 Mar 2017 19:33:05
Good post Anthony. I tend to agree. I would like to see Ibra sign for 1
2 more work rash getting a bit more next season and then replace Ibra the following year as no 1 with Ibra no2 . I think he had most of the attributes he needs to lead the line The way Jose likes he just needs to improve with his back to goal. But he has the physique to develop the pace and power to bully any cb in 18 months time. I think he has more potential than martial and mbappe.

2.) 23 Mar 2017
23 Mar 2017 20:17:19
He'll never be a first choice number 9 at united, he's not good enough and as I've said before he'll have a career with relative success elsewhere (IE defoe) which is by no means an insult.

I'd be surprised if he wasn't starting for another team within the next 3 years If I'm honest.

3.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 08:42:53
I tend to agree with Moon here. To be honest, I am yet to see that something special in Rashford as of now. Yes I would hope he really progresses like most on here want to. But as of now, I don't see anything that makes me believe it will happen.

All I see in every single post is that he has pace. So what? He is a striker, not a 100m sprinter. I think everyone here would agree that one thing every goal scorer has inbuilt is instinct. A tenacity to find the back of the net. Someone like a Chicharito, he had that instinctive goal scoring ability. He wasn't the quickest. When were Zlatan, van Nistelrooy, Benzema, Higuain, Suarez, Aguero the quickest? Look at the number of goals these guys have scored.

Its football, not a sprint. You need to have the ability to score a goal. I bet David Bellion was as fast a Rashford is but he never got anywhere.

I would be very happy if the lad proves me wrong and I will keep my humble pie ready. But for now he isn't ready and certainly not ready to replace Zlatan in the team. So no comparisons please.

4.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 08:23:39
Solskjaer didn't make it in the top flight in Norway till he was 22,
Drogba didn't make an impression in France until he was 25.
Give rash a bit of time he has something.

5.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 09:15:50
This is utterly ridiculous. Rashford is 19 years old. He has just started his career. He has had an excellent impact. He has the football brain of a much older player. He is getting in some great positions but not finishing. Zlatan has been doing the same all season, does this make zlatan a bad striker? Of course not.
Let's give our young Rashford a chance for goodness sake. If we let him go, then I guarantee that Real Barcelona bayern City Chelsea arsenal will be queuing to sign him.
The notion that he's not going to make it is pathetic and defeatest.

6.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 09:12:28
Most of the points on Rashford have been made, he has pace and physique at such a young age. People moan about playing time yet he has had more than people think, but forget Rooney played every week to be burned out by 31. In terms of Moon's point, a short time ago we saw Josh King score a premier league hat trick and he was nowhere near comparison to Rashford when he was the same age.

One point about Rashford which I think is missed is how he shifts the ball quickly when it is close to his body using angles of his feet. Not many do that, however, watch closely and he can move direction of the ball unexpectedly then adds a burst of pace, it can be devastating. It is something that will be hard to defend against, you might know he will do it but adjusting for defender will be tough. It is not a comparison but Ronaldinho did a similar trick for the want of a better word.

At the moment he is in second season syndrome, his challenge will be next season and that is likely when we will have a better idea of his true long term potential. I remember how good James Wilson looked and then the first team seemed too much for him, yet Rashford grew into it immediately which says the mental side of his game is strong. An exciting prospect, needs nurturing, huge potential but he needs to grow next season, I have a feeling he will.

7.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 11:13:32
Wow, so dismissive of a player in his teens.

Has impressed whenever he has played, received plaudits not just throughout England but throughout world football as a future star and overall seems to have bags full of potential.

I feel rash will develop into a fine player, how good is anyone's guess but IMO I feel he has everything going for him to be a top player in a top team. I just hope he has the work ethic to go with it because that's what players with great abilities lack, thinking of someone like ravel morrison.

Overall, I just don't understand how we constantly put down our younger players here. It's like a disease that rips through the site.

Rashford has showing flashes of brilliance and I find the only thing that let's him down right now is his decision making which is something that usual comes with experience and age.

Give the boy a chance.

8.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 11:15:36
Some people are never happy he's a young player that needs time to develop his trade, he's a Utd fan that's come through the system and some are saying he won't make it at the old age of 19! And he's had just over a season with the first team! If he was Brazilian playing in their league like neymar did, how much would he go for? How many goal would he be scoring? Some Utd fans are so impatient.

9.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 09:58:26
Ajh - totally agree, great post- ed 004 - unfortunately I think we may see shaw develop at another club and martial maybe on borrowed time . One part of martials game could be to stop looking so bloody grumpy. lol I mean, its not like he isn't living the dream.

10.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 14:21:02
There is way more to Rashford's game than just pace. I think he is a very intelligent player. His finishing composure will come with time.

11.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 14:46:14
Anybody who cannot see his potential is nuts. I am very confidant that if he is patient and work hard every day and keeps his feet and expectations on the ground he will fulfil his potential.
Very few teenagers come umberto a top tier club and make it straight away. If he continues what he is doing next season he might be ready to take the lead role The season after imo.

12.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 16:35:18
I have no idea if he will go on to be a major star but writing him off at this point is plain silly. Let's give the kid a run and see how he develops. I'm not comparing him to Ibra, he is a completely different payer, much less experienced with a huge amount to learn. Like it or not, I don't see Ibra lasting another year. He already looks leg and at his age you tend to fall off a cliff.

13.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 16:55:29
Wow. I find it incredible that people write off a boy of 19.

This time last year he was the hottest prospect in Europe. Fast forward 12 months and he's not even good enough for United. And the reason is I say "not even" is because we are not currently amongst Europe's elite.

The biggest problem with football - fans and pundits - is that nobody looks at the bigger picture. It's all hot and cold based on the last result or performance. Zlatan had it recently and now it's Rashford's turn.

14.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 18:40:43
I think Rashford has something and Jose is using him right.

Owen, Rooney, Smith etc played week in, week out from their early teens and were spent by 28. Giggsy was an exception to that but he had a better hebad on his shoulders. Rashford needs games to develop but no too much too soon.

He has pace, ability to hold play up and I love the fact he goes down the line as well as cuts in. Keeps defenders guessing.

Would love a Ruud back a a striker trainer. His movement in a box was the best I have ever seen.

15.) 24 Mar 2017
24 Mar 2017 13:20:56
ed04 - you can add Pereira to that list.

Looking forward to seeing him back here to see how far he has progressed this year.

Will have a to watch a week on saturday as they have Barcelona at home. Expect Granada to get beat but it will be a good indicator of how far he has come.

{Ed004's Note - Hopefully he gets a few chances next season as well. Seemed to have had a good season there and played well vs Madrid}