23 February 2023 , 18:05
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John Motson claimed that Manchester United would 'build their revival around Marcus Rashford ' in an eerily accurate prediction made almost four years ago.
The legendary commentator, who sadly passed away on Thursday aged 77, heaped praise on Rashford during one of United's most difficult periods of the post- Sir Alex Ferguson era. In May 2019, as the Red Devils were rebuilding under newly-appointed manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, beloved television icon Motson told TalkSPORT: "Somehow or other, I think the one player who Manchester United will build a revival around if you like, is Rashford. I think he's played well throughout all of his time [in the first team]."
Back then, a 21-year-old Rashford was coming to the end of a mixed season in which he'd scored 13 goals and seen boss Jose Mourinho sacked midway through the campaign. During Solskjaer's first full season, the United academy graduate bagged what was at the time a career-best 22 strikes, before following it up with an impressive 21 goals the following term.
After an injury-hit season last time out as Solskjaer was sacked, Rashford has returned to form this campaign under the guidance of current boss Erik ten Hag and shown why Motson was right to make such a lofty prediction. The 25-year-old has now bettered his excellent output from the 2019-20 season by scoring 24 goals in 36 games so far, his best ratio in a single term to date.
Rashford seems to have plenty more in the tank, too, with no player in Europe's top five leagues getting on the scoresheet more than him since the World Cup break. "I don't know [if his scoring] will stop, but he has to go from game to game and during the week do the right things," Ten Hag explained to Sky Sports ahead of Thursday's Europa League showdown with Barcelona.
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"I think as a manager, as a coaching staff we have to push them but finally it comes from the player. When he loses focus then the scoring will stop. Clear. He has so many skills, such high potential and I think there can be even more. When he works well, he will even score more goals because he can score with his left, right and his head."
Marcus Rashford is currently enjoying being in the form of his life (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag has indeed built his Man United rebuild around Marcus Rashford (Getty Images)Have your say! How many goals will Rashford finish the season with? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
After scoring twice in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Leicester City, the man himself declared: "There's always something to push and look forward to. I don't feel like slowing down. I'm always looking to push and improve."
Meanwhile, ex-Red Devils captain and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville proclaimed: "Rashford has been sensational. Left, centre, it doesn't matter where he plays - it looks like he's got defenders right where he wants them. It looks like he's got those pictures in his mind when he gets into the final third where he knows exactly what he wants to do."
Many fans believe that Ten Hag isn't the only coach at United to have helped guide Rashford back to form, as striker coach Benni McCarthy has also been credited for his efforts with the England international. Speaking to Red Devils supporters outside of Old Trafford following Sunday's win, McCarthy admitted after humbly praising Ten Hag's work: "I've got him [Rashford] in the right place."