Marcus Rashford... can he appease England's 50 years of hurt?
- May 28, 2016
- 3 min read
Marcus Rashford is a name on the tip of every football fan's lips at this moment in time. Another impressive and mature performance from the 18 year old last night for England against Australia saw the Manchester lad break a 77 year old record as England's youngest debutant goalscorer. With the European Championships taking place in just under two weeks time and the deadline for the final squad to be announced this Tuesday, Full Time asks whether Marcus Rashford could be the answer to England's 50 year wait for a major footballing trophy?
Flashback to a cold evening in February at Old Trafford. Manchester United need a resounding victory to see off Danish side FC Midtjylland or face being dumped out of both European club competitions in a matter of months. The pre-match warm up sees mercurial magician Anthony Martial pull a hamstring, leaving an already depleted front line in dire need of a miracle. Step forward the unknown lanky 18 year old that is Marcus Rashford. United concede an early goal, but draw level through an own goal. The game poised for a moment of heroism and the teenage debutant did not disappoint. As Juan Mata cut back a ball to Rashford's feet, he showed composure and maturity beyond his years to steer the ball past the opposition goalkeeper before the ecstasy of a debut goal struck him like the sting of a Wayne Rooney piledriver. A few moments later and the boy wonder had netted his second goal, converting Guillermo Varela's soaring cross to put United into the driving seat in the tie.
Fastforward to present day, and Rashford has become a household name having netted 8 goals in 18 games for his hometown club Manchester United, and finding the net on his England debut in just over a 3 month period. Now he has the opportunity to be selected amongst England's 23 man squad for the upcoming Euro's and you'd be highly surprised if he didn't make his way onto the plane to France. There are growing doubts over the fitness of Daniel Sturridge after the Liverpool forward picked up another niggling injury that drew him out of contention for a place in the line-up last night. Rashford has proved time and time again his natural ability as a goalscorer, and his remarkable maturity with the media generating a firestorm around his name, and his recent performances. He most certainly could be a secret weapon for England at these Euro's, and while he would surely not start the opening game against Russia in two weeks time, he would be a fearsome option off the bench for this youthful England side.
This England is capable of winning this year's European Championship's. Confidence and maturity are two key traits that England have lacked since their historic World Cup victory 50 years ago in 1966. This team's ability has no bounds, no shackles that can prevent them from reaching what many believe is beyond them. Roy Hodgson has pace, creativity and youthful exuberance in abundance with this team, and attack - with Rashford in mind - is surely the way to succeed this year. If he makes the journey with England, you can be sure that he won't disappoint if he is given an opportunity as he was last night. The time has come for England to break the 50 year curse and finally write their name into the history books once again. Cue Marcus Rashford, your time has come.
Comments