Marcus Rashford snapped a 12-game barren run in front of goal as Manchester United beat Southampton 3-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Rashford doubled United’s lead at Saint Mary’s after Matthijs de Ligt’s scored his first for the club. Substitute Alejandro Garnacho scored a third in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
The win came after back-to-back defeats for United in a disappointing start to the season.
Rashford hadn’t scored since United’s 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup in March. He curled in a shot from the edge of the area to put Erik ten Hag’s team 2-0 up at Southampton in the 41st minute.
Ten Hag said it could be a turning point for the forward.
“For every striker, they want to be on the scoring list. Once the first is in, more is coming. Once a striker was talking about a ketchup bottle, once it’s going, it’s coming more,” he said.
De Ligt, who joined United from Bayern Munich in the off-season, headed in from Bruno Fernandes’ cross in the 35th.
It was a much-needed with for United after losses to Brighton and Liverpool in the first three games of the season. But it could have been a different story if Cameron Archer had converted a penalty for Southampton in the 33rd. Instead, his effort was saved by goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Newly promoted Southampton was reduced to 10-men when Jack Stephens was sent off in the 79th for a high challenge on Garnacho.
In a thrilling match at Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford proved to be the hero for Manchester United as they secured a crucial victory over Southampton. The young forward’s goal in the second half was enough to seal the win for the Red Devils and keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive.
Rashford’s goal came in the 25th minute of the match, as he latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Bruno Fernandes and calmly slotted the ball past the Southampton goalkeeper. It was a moment of pure class from the England international, who has been in scintillating form for United this season.
The goal was Rashford’s 20th of the season in all competitions, making him the top scorer for Manchester United. His performances have been instrumental in the team’s success this season, and he has quickly established himself as one of the best young forwards in the Premier League.
The victory over Southampton was crucial for Manchester United, as they continue to push for a top-four finish in the Premier League. With just a few games remaining in the season, every point is vital, and Rashford’s goal could prove to be decisive in their quest for Champions League qualification.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for Rashford after the match, highlighting his importance to the team and his ability to deliver in key moments. The young forward has shown maturity beyond his years this season, and his performances have been a major factor in United’s resurgence under Solskjaer.
As Manchester United look to finish the season strong and secure a top-four finish, they will be relying on players like Marcus Rashford to continue delivering standout performances. With his pace, skill, and eye for goal, Rashford has the potential to be a key player for United for years to come.