By Dave Marshall
Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter to vent their anger at Jose Mourinho after Marcus Rashford starred for England in the pre-World Cup game against Costa Rica at Elland Road on Thursday night.
The United youngster, who struggled for consistency at Old Trafford in 2017-18, looked very sharp playing for The Three Lions, which was a far cry from his stifled performances for United.
He looked free from defensive responsibilities that Jose normally places on him, and offered a timely reminder to United fans of his undoubted quality.
Rashford played alongside Jamie Vardy upfront and looked very sharp, scoring the first that smacked of brilliance all over. On the 13th minute, he took the ball from Loftus-Cheek, and from absolutely nothing, dipped the ball with power from 25 yards to leave Costa Rica goalie, Keylor Navas rooted.
The Real Madrid shotstopper looked shocked and a little embarrassed. He also had a hand in the second, playing the ball for substitute, Dele Alli who put in a cross to the far post for Danny Welbeck to head home on the 76th minute. Here are some of the best tweets about his performances.
#mufc #mourinhoout ‘dazzled from the start’ ‘man of the match’ ‘excelled in general play’ … today’s descriptions of Rashford when he’s not playing for Bourinho!
— David ?? (@djb0607) June 8, 2018
Rashford is such an enigma. Lightning speed, brilliant dribbler, fantastic shot on him but all offset by his inconsistency. IF he can put it all together as he matures we will have a world beater. Club & country should do everything to create the best Rashford #mufc #England
— David Brayshaw⚽️ (@david_brayshaw) June 8, 2018
I hope mourinho has a serious change of heart / strategy / philosophy over the summer. To date he’s done the likes of pogba, rashford and martial no favours at all #MUFC
— Sam Mac (@SamMac1513) June 8, 2018
@talkSPORT I'm a big man United fan. And I couldn't agree more with perry on rashford. Either Jose needs to go. Or rashford for further development
— Dave MUFC (@davemacca88) June 8, 2018
Rashford goal tho. Top top quality. Kid got amazing talent + power. Consistency is all that is lacking. #England #mufc #ThreeLions
— William Heart (@myphancy) June 8, 2018
if southgate can get the best out of rashford and lingard, can he please be the next #mufc manager please? #engcrc #bbcfootball
— James Ballantyne (@JamesOSM) June 8, 2018
I always assume Marcus Rashford will be allowed to play with the same freedom he was afforded with England at Manchester United after Jose Mourinho leaves. Who ever succeeds him in years to come won’t be so restrictive with attacking players. #Mufc #Rashford
— Man Utd Fanatic (@MUFCLeader) June 8, 2018
Fans noticed the difference between the Rashford that plays for United and England; the central role he was given for the Three Lions handed him more creative freedom.
At United, Mourinho rarely ventures away from the 4-2-3-1 and Rashford only ever plays on the left wing. Because he’s right-footed and a striker by trade, he always wants to cut inside from that position but a combination of the condensed space in central areas as well as the absence of an attacking, left-footed left-back means he often ran into traffic.
For England, the wing-back system allows attacking players the freedom they require and for that Gareth Southgate deserves great credit.
There have been talks about the 20-year-old leaving United this summer on loan to get more first team action, though if he has a good individual tournament in Russia, he could make a case for more games next term and in his preferred position.
