Marcus Rashford: The Manchester United’s man stunning form in focus

Marcus Rashford continued to drive Manchester United’s renaissance as his latest goal gave his side a memorable win in the Manchester derby on Saturday.

After two seasons of struggle, the 25-year-old has rediscovered his form and has scored in each of his last seven appearances.

Here we look at how the former academy graduate’s season has taken off since the World Cup and how he is now flourishing under new manager Erik ten Hag.

Early-season form

The signs were there at the start of the campaign as Rashford scored eight in 19 although he tended to score in bursts, twice scoring two in a game.

But, significantly, his contributions were important, including winners against Liverpool, Arsenal, Omonia Nicosia and West Ham.

Post-World Cup acceleration

The trip to Qatar, where he was not in Gareth Southgate’s first-choice side, appears to have been a major confidence boost as he came off the bench to score in the thrashing of Iran and then grabbed two against Wales in a rare start.

He hit the ground running on his return to club football with the crucial second goal in a Carabao Cup win over Burnley and has not looked back.

All-round improvement

Prior to the World Cup break Rashford was averaging a goal contribution – a goal or assist – every 129.5 minutes for United.

In the month since returning from Qatar he has improved that considerably to one every 49.8 minutes – eight goals and three assists in 547.5 minutes including stoppage time.

His goal against City saw him become the first United player since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2008 to score in seven consecutive appearances in all competitions, netting against Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Bournemouth and City in the league, Burnley and Charlton (twice) in the League Cup and Everton in the FA Cup.

United’s form has also benefited from his upturn as they have won nine consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since January 2017 – Rashford scoring in all bar November’s 2-1 win at Fulham. The Red Devils are now just a point behind second-placed City and have been cut to 14/1 in the Premier League winner odds.

Rashford has 16 goals in 26 appearances this season, already his third-best career tally in more than seven years at first-team level.

🔥 In the form of his life.#MUFC || @MarcusRashford

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 15, 2023

How is Marcus Rashford faring against his England rivals?

On current form, none of his international team-mates can compare. Tottenham striker and England captain Harry Kane is closest, with four goals in five games since the restart.

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka scored in back-to-back matches following his return but has drawn a blank in his next four.

Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling has one in three, while Manchester City duo Phil Foden and Jack Grealish also have one apiece. Newcastle’s Callum Wilson has gone five games without a goal since returning.

What comes next?

Rashford will be looking to extend his scoring run when United face Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night.

Rashford is 5/4 to be on target once again, 9/5 to score in a United win and the 10/3 favourite to open the scoring, while Coral have plenty of Marcus Rashford specials in the #YourCall odds.

He is 7/2 to have three or more shots and to score in the second half, or 12/1 to score and be shown a card for the third time this season.

The same price is on offer for Rashford to score from outside the box while he is 16/1 to score anytime and have an assist.

View the latest Premier League odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication