A star is (re)born: How Marcus Rashford finally found his form at Manchester United

If there is a footballer who has stolen the show in 2023, it is surely Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United striker has been unstoppable since the World Cup. In fact, since his return to England, he has scored in 17 of his last 21 games.

Having been promised as England's great hope since 2016, Marcus Rashford is finally fulfilling his potential and having a complete season.

At 25, the Englishman seems to have found his place in Erik ten Hag's Manchester United squad, having been moved to the left wing. Since moving to Rashford's preferred position, he has seemingly been unstoppable – cutting past and outpacing defenders with unparalleled finesse. 

More efficient than ever, Marcus Rashford has finally become the goalscorer that the Dirty Reds have been waiting for. Just two years ago, he was challenged on all sides and seemed far from the from he's been in this season. 

Marcus Rashford played his first minutes during the 2015/2016 season, when he was only 18 years old. Fresh out of the youth teams of the Red Devils training sqaud, the young man played 11 games notching up 5 goals in 2 assists. Excellent statistics for a player of his age.

On February 28, 2016, he scored twice in 32 minutes against Arsenal and established himself as Manchester United's future goalscorer. The club finished fifth in the Premier League that year, 15 points behind surprise champions Leicester City.

During the 2016/2017 season, Manchester United decided to change strategy. The Red Devils signed José Mourinho and recruited a striker named Zlatan Ibrahimovic to occupy the point of attack. Marcus Rashford was then replaced on the wing and struggled to earn a spot in the top team. 

He started 16 times in the Premier League that year and scored 5 goals. A half-hearted season for the 19-year-old who continued his high-level apprenticeship. Manchester United finished only sixth, 24 points behind champions Chelsea and played in the Europa League play-offs.

The 2017/2018 season is the Englishman's first real full year. Behind the untouchable Manchester City, José Mourinho's men sought second place in the championship with a very good Marcus Rashford.

Placed on the left side of the Mancunian attack, behind Romelu Lukaku, he scored 7 goals and provided 5 assists in 17 starts. He then became an important player in the club's rotation and a very effective super-sub. Comparisons with Kylian Mbappé abound: can Rashford manage to match his French counterpart?

Marcus Rashford was then 21 years old and started the 2018/2019 season as a starter in Ole Gunnar Solskjaerd's 4-4-2. He formed a promising duo with Romelu Lukaku but, despite the promises, Manchester United had a shocker of a season. Arriving only sixth, the Red Devils fall behind all their historical rivals.

For his first season as a starter, Marcus Rashford is far from convincing, despite some good appearances on paper: 10 goals and 6 assists. The expected phenomenon has not happened and United sunk into crisis. 

However, we started to see glimpses of impressive physical and technical abilities. Able to play on the wing as a central forward, he became a valuable Swiss army knife for the side despite his young age. The promises are there, the supporters are just waiting for the explosion.

This happens the following season, in 2019/2020. Placed to the left of the attack, behind Anthony Martial, the duo worked wonders. The two men each finish with 17 goals and more than 10 assists in the Premier League.

Manchester United finally managed to qualify for the Champions League by finishing in third place in the championship, dominated by rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. Rashford levels up...

In addition to his qualities on the pitch, the player became the darling of English supporters thanks to several major humanitarian actions during the Covid-19 epidemic. His work made it possible to distribute more than 3 million meals to disadvantaged people with the association FareShare.

However, the 2021/2022 season was one for Rashford to forget. With the arrival of Jaden Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Englishman is repositioned on the right side. It's clear that the position does not suit, but the side preserves and Rashford struggles to keep his spot. 

He ends this season with a very weak statistical record of 5 goals and 2 assists in 32 games, with 18 starts. Manchester United finished sixth with 57 goals scored and 57 conceded in 38 rounds. Rashford copped criticism from all sides. 

However, this season, everything will change. The arrival of Dutch technician Erik Ten Hag on the Red Devils bench will transform Marcus Rashford. The coach does not hesitate to put Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench and gives more responsibility to the 25-year-old, this time on the left side!

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was one of the spearheads of the English attack and scored three goals in the group stage, despite his status as a substitute. Confident on and off the field, we find a Marcus Rashford who dares and does not hesitate to go to go one on one. 

The return from the World Cup is going like a dream for him. With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr, he becomes the club's main goalscorer. A responsibility he shoulders without problem with 14 goals in 23 Premier League games. He also scored an important goal against FC Barcelona in the Europa League.

Marcus Rashford is one of Europe's best strikers in 2023 and continues to impress. Mentally stronger and physically impressive, he established himself as Manchester United's star striker for the next few years.

A child of the club, he is the face of the Red Devils and could well lead United to a Premier League title in years to come. A trophy that the Mancunians have not lifted since the 2012/2013 season, an eternity for one of the biggest clubs in England.