Marcus Rashford is not in the habit of wasting time.
Rashford’s breakthrough into the Manchester United first team in 2015 was enough to prove to fans that the young forward has a welcome tendency to seize every opportunity.
In recent weeks, Rashford’s chances have been few and far between as manager Jose Mourinho has looked to find a place for January signing Alexis Sanchez in his team.
But Mourinho named Rashford in his starting XI for one of the Red Devils’ biggest games of the season as he was named on the left side of United’s attacking unit against Liverpool on Saturday.
6 – Six of Marcus Rashford's 15 goals in the Premier League have come in matches against other 'big six' teams (40%). Stunner. https://t.co/HXkW8MnaBF
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 10, 2018
An injury to Paul Pogba forced Mourinho into a reshuffle and the United boss surprised many with a very attacking selection.
But Rashford justified his manager’s faith in him as he found the net on two occasions inside the first 25 minutes.
The 20-year-old’s first was a thing of beauty as he latched on to a header from Romelu Lukaku, sprinted into the Liverpool box, perfectly cut inside opposition right back Trent Alexander-Arnold and found the far corner before wheeling away in celebration.
Supporters watching couldn’t help but notice the similarity in technique between Rashford and former Old Trafford favourite Cristiano Ronaldo, who would often create space for himself using an identical movement.
The chop. The finish. Marcus Rashford you absolute beauty. Cristiano-esque.
— Richie Driss: now available in all new “freelance” (@RichieDriss) March 10, 2018
RASHFORD!!! That cut back and finish was eerily reminiscent of Ronaldo in his United days!
— HRVY Media (@hrvy_media) March 10, 2018
That Marcus Rashford cut back just reminded of me Cristiano Ronaldo. Just like he does it. #MUNLIV
— Severed Innie (@chinwekzy) March 10, 2018
please don't laugh at me but this resembled Ronaldo, quick cut back and top powerful finish
top stuff from Rashford
— Adam Doležálek (@Aidam95) March 10, 2018
That cut back and strike was Ronaldo-esque from Rashford. Brilliant from him!
— Kushal Malde (@kushm94) March 10, 2018
-Rashford first goal reminds me of Ronaldo’s days man
Those cut in and hit kinda play😍😍
— – Numb (@purplleReign) March 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/VIIFJJ/status/972453363412500480
Rashford first goal reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo. #MUNLIV
— MSH (@Msuleimaan) March 10, 2018
Rashford's first goal. That pull back and finish. I think Ronaldo has scored a similar goal at OT for us. What a wonderful goal to say the least.
— McTominay's pocket (@Lindelof_FC) March 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/Lifestyle_AList/status/972455950094405633
Ronaldo-esque that goal first goal by Rashford
— Matt Viney (@1mattyviney) March 10, 2018
Rashford has spoken in the past of his admiration for the Portuguese great and named Ronaldo as his biggest inspiration when he was coming through the United ranks.
“When Cristiano Ronaldo came to United, he was the one who everyone looked up to,” Rashford told Inside United in 2016.
“The thing that impressed me the most was the fact he was only young when he came into the side and he wanted to be the best player in the side.
“He worked hard every single day, you saw him in the gym every single day and the results came on the pitch. He openly wanted to be the best player in the world.
“You have to have an approach like that – all the best players in the world do. It’s not arrogance or anything like that, it’s the mindset you need to achieve things.”
