Marcus Rashford becomes first Man Utd player in 11 years to repeat Wayne Rooney feat
Marcus Rashford matched Wayne Rooney’s streak of scoring in consecutive Premier League home games for Manchester United with his crucial goal against Leeds on Wednesday night.
The England forward, 25, scored just after the hour mark to spark the Red Devils’ recovery to salvage a point having trailed 2-0 at home to their old rivals. Rashford headed home brilliantly from Diogo Dalot’s cross eight minutes before substitute Jadon Sancho rifled past Illan Meslier, following a first-minute strike from Wilfried Gnoto and an own-goal from Raphael Varane just after half-time.
Rashford stole the headlines again with another fine display to take his tally to 20 goals in all competitions. Finding the back of the net against Leeds also saw him become the first Red Devils player since Rooney in April 2012 – when the club legend netted twice against Everton – to score in six consecutive league appearances at Old Trafford.
The goal which set Rashford on his streak came back in October, before the World Cup break when he scored the winner against West Ham. Following the return of domestic football in late December, the boyhood Red Devil scored and assisted against Nottingham Forest before adding another goal against Bournemouth shortly after the turn of the year.
Playing like a forward reborn under Erik ten Hag, Rashford scored a late winner against Manchester City in mid-January and popped up with yet another decisive goal in last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Then, against Leeds, he made it six top-flight home fixtures in a row with a goal by rising to meet Dalot’s cross.
Rashford has scored 11 goals in 22 Premier League appearances this season, averaging a goal every other appearance, while he has been especially impressive in the EFL Cup. His tally of five goals in as many games has helped the Red Devils reach the final at Wembley Stadium later this month, where they will lock horns with Newcastle.
Rashford’s other goals have come in the Europa League (three) and FA Cup (one). Such is the purple patch the Three Lions star is enjoying at his club, he has scored more Premier League goals in 2023 (five) than Liverpool and Chelsea’s meagre combined tally of four.
Further, he is behind only Erling Haaland (31) when it comes to goals in all competitions this season, ahead of the likes of Tottenham’s Harry Kane (19) and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (17). Rashford’s celebration – during which he puts his index finger to his temple – has, therefore, been seen regularly in recent weeks.
It has also caught on among his fellow Premier League players, with Gnoto mimicking his rival after opening the scoring on Wednesday night.
