27 February 2023 , 12:26
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It may have been momentarily taken away from him, but Marcus Rashford did, in fact, bag his 25th goal of a remarkable campaign to seal victory for Manchester United in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
The United academy graduate had endured more than most prior to last August's big kick-off, but the 25-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, who himself has rejuvenated a club which was on its knees.
Given the mess that the Dutchman inherited following the disastrous interim reign of Ralf Rangnick, few, if any, would have predicted that Manchester United would lift the first domestic trophy of the season in February - and that they would still be alive in the Premier League title race, the FA Cup and the Europa League.
But that is the scenario facing Ten Hag and Manchester United as we head into the final third of the season. And Rashford has played a pivotal role in their success this term.
Again, few would have predicted Rashford to be Manchester United's main man this term after the torrid time he endured last season; particularly after Cristiano Ronaldo re-established himself as the club's talisman following his return from Juventus. But Rashford has stepped in a major way - both before and after Ronaldo's bitter exit.
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Manchester United aren't exactly feeling the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's absence, either. With his goal in Sunday's final, Rashford has now surpassed the 24 goals Ronaldo managed last season. And with plenty of games still to go, Rashford could become the first Manchester United player since Robin van Persie to plunder 30 goals in a single campaign.
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Marcus Rashford scored his 25th goal of the season in all competitions in Sunday's Carabao Cup final (Manchester United via Getty Imag)Despite Rashford's electric form, United are light on attacking options after agreeing to terminate Ronaldo's deal six months early. The club did manage to acquire Wout Weghorst on loan in January, but they are expected to sanction a move for an elite No.9 in the summer.
Even before Ronaldo left the club, though, there were concerns about goals with the Portuguese superstar struggling for form and fitness. And with Anthony Martial also enduring another injury-hit campaign, much of the goalscoring burden has fallen almost organically on Rashford.
Ten Hag insisted back in October that United had players capable of eclipsing the 20-goal barrier this season and challenged Rashford to achieve that feat. But since achieving that goal, the United boss has laid down the gauntlet again and challenged his star striker to hit 20 goals in the league.
To date, Rashford has 14 Premier League goals to his name. And with the Manchester United forward in the form of his life, he looks odds on to rise to the challenge again.