Many expected England to win their opening Qatar 2022 World Cup match with Iran on Monday, although it's fair to say that few fans will have expected them to do so quite so emphatically.
That is not to disrespect England's opponents in any way, they are of course ranked 20th in the world, making them the best Asian outfit at the tournament. More, it is to say that in recent years England supporters have been made to suffer somewhat and the quality of Iran had led to the expectation of yet another tightly contested, low-scoring contest.
But under Gareth Southgate, England have really begun to click at major tournaments. The excitement is back after leading his country to the semi-finals in Russia, followed by the Euro 2020 Final heartbreaking penalty loss to Italy last summer, even if the football since then has been something of a return to the norm.
READ MORE: United supporters react to Harry Maguire’s World Cup performance vs Iran
Jude Bellingham's 35th-minute header set England on their way before Bukayo Saka's double plus goals from Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford sealed the win on Monday. United man Rashford has been in revitalised form this season - and is one of a number of Reds to have benefitted from the club's appointment of Erik ten Hag in the summer.
The forward already has eight goals and three assists to his name this season and is a totally different player to the one who struggled for form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last term. Five goals and two assists in 32 games for United last season tells its own story but it helps demonstrate the fact that, put quite simply, Rashford would not have made the World Cup squad had it been held in the summer as previous tournaments have been.
That he has managed to force his way into the squad is a testament not only to his hard work, but the work of those around him at United. While Ten Hag is undoubtedly a big part of that, he can't take all of the credit.
And in that respect, Ten Hag's decision to appoint Benni McCarthy to his coaching team in the summer is already paying dividends, with Rashford himself admitting that the former South Africa forward has played a big part in helping him develop his eye for goal this term.
"He's [McCarthy] definitely helped me a lot. To have attack-minded coaches within the squad is great for us forward players," Rashford told Sky Sports following the 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa earlier this month, in which the Academy graduate bagged himself a goal. "It's just day in, day out, we're thinking about scoring goals, rather than the other bits.
"We've got him always there, speaking to us about it. I think my aim is to get back to enjoying my football and at the minute I am, so I'm not complaining. If I'm scoring goals and winning, then I'm happy."
McCarthy explained his role shortly after arriving at United in the summer, saying he is there to help ensure "the goalscoring continues" - and it seems he is succeeding with Rashford so far this season.
He said: "I'm part of the technical team, first team coach obviously. So together with the manager and the assistant manager, when they construct the training sessions, I'll be in and around and just help where I can and then having my role with the offensive players.
"Co-ordinating movements and finishing and making sure that the guys are sharp and that they're ready and that the goalscoring continues and that they get the right goal-scoring boots on, so that will be my function."
McCarthy was one of the first to congratulate Rashford on Instagram following his goal for England against Iran. Replying to Rashford's post celebrating the win and his goal, McCarthy wrote: "Well done and what a brilliant finish mate."
Rashford got his World Cup off to a perfect start with his goal against Iran, and it could help him force himself into the reckoning for a place in the starting XI in games to come. And if he keeps his goalscoring boots on for the rest of the Qatar showcase, it might not just be United who benefit from his goals this season.
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