The 18-year-old academy graduate, who was told he would start 30 minutes prior to kick-off after Anthony Martial injured himself in the warm up, yet stole the show
Marcus Rashford marked his Manchester United debut with a brace as his side came from behind to thump 10-man Midtjylland 5-1 at Old Trafford and progress to the Europa League's last 16.The 18-year-old had initially been named on the substitutes' bench, but a hamstring injury suffered by Anthony Martial in the warm-up meant he was called into the starting XI at the last minute.
With United trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Rashford's bow got off to a less than ideal start as Pione Sisto - a goalscorer from the opening encounter - produced a fine individual effort to open the scoring.
United's response was swift against the Danish champions, as the impressive Memphis Depay induced Nikolay Bodurov into deflecting the ball into his own net five minutes later before the hosts wasted the chance to level the tie before half-time when Juan Mata saw his penalty saved by Mikkel Andersen.
Under-fire Van Gaal had bizarrely called for his United players to be "horny" in the build-up to the game and they responded in fine style, displaying great attacking penetration in the second half as the visitors wilted under the pressure.
Mata cut the ball back for Rashford to finish in calm fashion in the 63rd minute and 12 minutes later the forward slotted home in similar style from Guillermo Varela's cross
With time ticking away, Ander Herrera proved more successful than Mata from the penalty spot, before Midtjylland lost Andre Romer to a second yellow card.
United showed great attacking desire in the early stages as Rashford, Depay and Jesse Lingard all threatened but, for all their dominance of possession, the hosts found themselves behind in the 27th minute.
Marco Urena fed Sisto, who jinked away from Daley Blind and Michael Carrick on the edge of the box before firing past Sergio Romero into the bottom-left corner.
Depay shot straight at Andersen as United went in search of an immediate response that duly arrived when the Dutchman got to the byline and drilled in a low ball that Bodurov diverted home.
Morgan Schneiderlin went close with an acrobatic effort and Depay shot narrowly wide from 25 yards before Schneiderlin headed against the post as United pressed hard to level the tie before the break.
Romer's foul on Herrera gave Mata the perfect opportunity to do just that, but the Spaniard saw his penalty pushed behind by Andersen diving low to his right.
United began the second half brightly and Schneiderlin opted to square instead of shoot from Mata's lofted ball, before Herrera headed a golden chance into the side netting following more trickery from Depay.
Shortly after the hour, Mata did well to keep Varela's cross in next to the left byline and cut the ball back for Rashford, who converted with a minimum of fuss from eight yards.
And, after Lingard was booked for a dive that will keep him out of the first leg of United's last-16 tie, Rashford was on hand to sweep home Varela's cross from the right to complete his double.
But the drama did not end there as Herrera converted from 12 yards following Kian Hansen's handling of Depay's shot three minutes from time.
Depay was then hauled back by Romer, who was issued with a second caution, and the Dutchman capped a fine performance by rifling in the fifth as United romped to victory and eased some of the pressure on Van Gaal.
Manchester United 5-1 Midtjylland (agg 6-3) player ratings: Who was YOUR man of the match?
Marcus Rashford scored twice on his senior debut as United rolled into the Europa League last 16 - but was he our pick at Old Trafford?
Manchester United came from behind to demolish Danish side Midtjylland at Old Trafford, winning 5-1 (6-3 on aggregate) as they move into the last 16 of the Europa League.
Louis van Gaal's men did it the hard way, coming from behind after Pione Sisto's wonderful individual effort put the away side in front, before an own goal from Nikolay Bodurov levelled things on the night
After Juan Mata's missed penalty, United needed a goal to level things up on aggregate. Step forward Marcus Rashford.
Starting because of Anthony Martial's hamstring injury, the 18-year-old striker made it 2-1 when he converted Mata's cutback, before putting United in front overall, with a well-taken half volley from Guillermo Varela's cross with 15 minutes remaining.
Ander Herrera's penalty and Depay's excellent individual effort wrapped it up for the Red Devils, but who was the star of the show?
Player ratings
Sergio Romero 5
Just doesn't inspire confidence at all. One tip away from Sisto's head was crucial, but he was down too slowly for the winger's goal.
Guillermo Varela 8
A bundle of energy down the right side, the Uruguayan made things happen - most notably the crucial third goal.
Michael Carrick 5
Captain in Wayne Rooney's absence but looked what he was: a midfielder playing at the back. Dived in badly for Sisto's goal
Daley Blind 6
The Dutchman's passing from the back continues to be very useful to United as they build play from the back.
Joe Riley 7
Called in for this full debut, the right-footed showed good pace and willingness to join in with attacks, overloading the left and counter-balancing Memphis' want to wander in field.
Ander Herrera 7
A no-nonsense penalty from the Spaniard wrapped things up, while he also won the spot-kick that Mata missed.
Morgan Schneiderlin 6
The Frenchman is still struggling to justify the £24million summer price-tag.
Jesse Lingard 6
Lots of perspiration down the right side and he linked with Varela well, but little in the way of end product from the winger.
Juan Mata 7
Awful penalty apart, the Spaniard was tidy, and continually found space in and around the penalty area. Rewarded for not just standing and watching when his cutback found Rashford for the second.
Memphis Depay 9 MOTM
So this is what he brings to the party when he fancies it. Took his full-back to the cleaners time and again, showed willingness and desire to make things happen and deserved his goal. Now to do it more regularly.
Marcus Rashford 8
Drafted in late, the 18-year-old homegrown striker made his mark with two clinically-taken poacher's goals.
Subs
Rojo (Riley 79), Pereira (Lingard 86), Poole (Herrera 90)
Midtjylland
Starting XI: Andersen 6; Romer 3, Hansen 5, Bodurov 4, Novak 5; Sparv 5; Olsson 5, Poulsen 7, Hassan 5, Sisto 7; Urena 4
Subs: Onuachu (Urena 46) 5, Kadlec (Hassan 67) 5, Pusic (Olsson 79)
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário