Marcus Rashford’s finger-to-the-temple, eyes-closed goal celebration is a moment of contemplative stillness. Unveiled last season, it is the Manchester United forward’s version of the shush. The noise around him might be loud but it does not matter. He will cut through it with his focus and mental strength.
There was a difference when he showed it off against Manchester City in March. On that occasion, the eyes blazed and he could not help but scream. It was the Premier League derby at the Etihad and he had just scored one of the goals of his career – a rising 25-yard drive of furious power. Was it better than his Ronaldo-esque, 40-yard knuckleball free-kick at Chelsea in a Carabao Cup tie in 2019? Maybe.
