After parting ways with Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United are looking for a new attacking force. Marcus Rashford (25) and Anthony Martial (27) emerged as the solvers of the team’s offense.
Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the 2022-2023 English Premier League round 17 home game held at Old Trafford in Manchester, England on the 28th. After breaking up with Ronaldo, Manchester United’s start isn’t bad. After defeating Burnley 2-0 in the Carabao Cup on the 22nd, their first official match, they won their first league game after the World Cup break to narrow the gap with the league semifinals. With 29 points (9 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses), it is 1 point behind 4th place Tottenham (30 points, 9 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses).
Manchester United broke up with Ronaldo before the World Cup kicks off. Ronaldo, who revealed the conflict within the team while being pushed to the back-up, was released while conducting an interview criticizing the manager of Manchester United and manager Eric Tenhagh prior to joining the national team. Manchester United has been pointed out the weakness of the attack line since parting ways with Ronaldo, but on this day, Rashford and Martial exploded side by side. Rashford played an active role with one goal and one assist. In the 19th minute of the first half, in a corner kick situation, Rashford finished the cross with a right-footed strong shot from Christian Eriksen. Three minutes later, in a counterattack situation, he ran down the left side of the opponent and helped Martial’s second goal in the penalty area.
Manchester United tried to sign Cody Hakpo (Eindhoven), who led the Netherlands to the World Cup quarterfinals, but was taken away by Liverpool and has to endure with existing power.
Rashford, who scored three goals for England at the World Cup, has five goals in the Premier League this season. In the league, 17 goals in the 2019-2020 season (22 goals in the official match) is his personal best. Rashford, a highly anticipated former Manchester United youth player, has been criticized for his poor form over the last two seasons. On this day, he fired a flare of resurrection with multiple attack points. In addition, Martial, who struggled with injury, also predicted a rebound by scoring three league goals (five goals in the official game) this season.