19 February 2023 , 22:04
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Liverpool legend Graeme Souness was seen shaking his head at Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as the pair clashed over Marcus Rashford's importance to Manchester United.
The duo were on punditry duty for Sky Sports for both United's win over Leicester and Tottenham's victory against West Ham. Following the latter game, they were asked about Rashford's performances this season, having scored his 23rd and 24th goals of the campaign with a brace against the Foxes.
That double ensured United claimed all three points and closed the gap on title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City. Rashford has been one of boss Erik ten Hag's key players in his first season at United and has earned high praise from Souness.
Graeme Souness was seen shaking his head during an argument with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Sky Sports)"Their dressing room right now is very much united. They’ve beaten Liverpool, beaten Man City, they are on a roll, but without Marcus Rashford - we’re talking about that game there how fabulous he was second half, and that’s after Rashford has scored a couple of goals," he said.
"Then everything is flowing, you’re not taking two touches, you’re doing it first time. You’re not taking three touches, you’re doing it two times, and they looked a really good team, but Rashford had done the damage by getting the two goals."
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Hasselbaink made it clear he disagreed with Souness though and engaged in a fiery discussion with his fellow pundit. He insisted that United would be winning even if Rashford was not playing.
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Souness clashed with Hasselbaink over Marcus Rashford's importance to Manchester United (Sky Sports)“I have to disagree with you. They’re at a stage at the moment that they feel invincible. Casemiro is not playing and he has been very important for them in the middle - but they find a way to win," he said.
"Yes, Rashford is scoring goals - but before Rashford was scoring goals they were winning games 1-0. And I think that they are in such a good moment that they will be alright with or without Rashford.”
Souness was then seen shaking his head as he fumed at Hasselbaink's analysis. And he hit back at the former striker, highlighting the fact that Rashford was far ahead in the United scoring charts.
“Jimmy, Rashford has got 24 goals this year. Take his 24 goals out of it and the next top scorer is who? [Bruno] Fernandes has got seven goals,” he said as he shook his head.
Hasselbaink hit back again, responding: "They’ve got a structure at the minute that is working. They would find a way."
Souness then questioned why Hasselbaink, as a former top-level striker, was disagreeing with his praise of Rashford. He said: "Goals change games. I’m amazed as a striker you’re arguing with me.
"They’ve got lots of games, it’s about keeping him fit. They’ve got to keep him fit because I don’t see - we’ve been there, I’m amazed you [Hasselbaink] are arguing with me about it. Goals change games."