If there is something we have learned from the first seven matches of the new season, it is that Erik ten Hag clearly has his favourites at Manchester United.
Plenty has been made of his adoration of Christian Eriksen in the engine room of his midfield and his devotion to fellow summer signing Lisandro Martinez, but most interesting is his loyalty to Marcus Rashford. The 24-year-old has started every match for United in the Premier League so far this season, taking part in 97 per cent of total minutes played by the team and, perhaps most impressively, being involved in 63 per cent of their goals scored so far too.
Rashford started on the left wing in United’s opening two defeats but has enjoyed a rejuvenated run, just like his side, starting as the central attacker in the last four matches. In those games, has grabbed his three goals and his two assists of the campaign, leading to fresh debate about his best position in the United side.
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There can be no ignoring the fact that when Rashford has started as a centre forward this season he has enjoyed better goal contributions. But there is mitigation to those stats, given how they actually occurred.
In fact, all three of Rashford's goals this season have actually come when he has switched to the left wing later on in the match, benefitting from the space that has been created for him by the other players in attack.
His goal against Liverpool came on the break once Anthony Martial had been introduced, while his brace against Arsenal was also on the counter-attack, this time making the most of the space Cristiano Ronaldo had freed up as a result of his centre forward play.
What is clear is that while Rashford certainly has proved a lot of people wrong with his resurgent form of late, he is yet to do so as an actual central striker and is still not always a viable option in the role.
It is also telling that the English forward’s goals have come in matches where United have embraced their underdog tag somewhat and been able to play on the counter attack, soaking up possession before punishing teams on the break.
Although they are getting better, Ten Hag’s side still struggle to break down defensive sides who like to sit deep and are held back by their lack of a main attacking focal point in the final third.
In those matches, they need a proper No.9 who lurks between the two goal posts with the sole ambition of putting the ball into the back of the net, rather than versatile forwards who are always looking to beat a man and cut inside onto their stronger foot.
Ronaldo is the only player of such a mould at the club, though youth prodigy Charlie McNeill or Joe Hugill could be one for the future, meaning United are still lacking the traditional front man needed to spearhead their attacks.
Having one not only ensures they have a focal point in the box at most times, but as seen against Arsenal last week, they can also occupy the centre-backs, giving players like Rashford the space to punish them by drifting inside from out wide.
Rashford does deserve huge credit for his impressive output in the final third already this season, but scoring goals does not necessarily make him a goal scorer.
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