Roy Keane on Marcus Rashford: Penny has dropped with Man Utd’s ‘lean, fighting machine’ | Football News

Marcus Rashford looks like a “lean, fighting machine” according to Roy Keane, who praised the striker for taking charge after scoring 10 goals in 10 games.

Manchester United took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest with a 3-0 first-leg win at the City Ground, Rashford opening the scoring with a solo run that spoke volumes for the Englishman’s confidence.

Keane said: “We were friendly when the players came out and he looked unsteady. You wouldn’t want to argue with him – well done.

“He looks like a fighting machine.

“Sometimes it’s about confidence – he’s at a point where he’s on the rise now. He’s played a lot of games for United and big games for England in the last couple of years.

“Sometimes the money comes down to a player making a decision and putting the ball in the back of the net. And they want him.

“The question I’ve had about Marcus over the last few years is, does he have the personality to be successful?

“United have had good strikers for years, and I think they need someone like that. Marcus has to say he wants the role to be big. The best players come week in week out. It seems like he is here. Enjoying that role, which is good to see.”

When asked if Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the team has helped Rashford’s confidence, Keane replied: “When a player leaves the team, the responsibility goes to another player.

“He’s 25 years old, not a kid, sometimes when the time is right, you can be ready to do that. He doesn’t have a serious injury with his hip anymore, he seems to be on the mend. He seems to be in a good place mentally. Also, which is great. He said he thinks he’s gone too far on football – and being a top football player is very difficult.

“So putting other things on the back burner and focusing on being a top player at Manchester United has allowed him to put things first.”

Michael Dawson added Sky Sports: “His best position is wide on the left, but since Erik ten Hag has come in he has made a point of getting him back to his best.

“He was disappointing last year and he struggled with form. What I see now is a completely different player, fearless and confident. He doesn’t play well and is very direct with the ball at his feet.

“If he loses, he has an aura where it doesn’t seem to bother him.”

Ten Hag: In this situation, Rashford cannot be stopped

Rashford’s return to form this season has been matched by the appointment of Erik ten Hag, who could lead United to their first trophy for five years in his first year in charge.

When asked if anyone in the country is playing better than Rashford, Ten Hag said: “Other players are playing better but I’m happy with Marcus. His play and his development since the start of the season is growing and he continues to do so. He should, and, of course, he has responsible for it, too, to maintain the process.

“In this situation and this spirit, I think they will not be stopped, so it is about the team being in the right place.

“Having possessions we have a plan. But it’s also about the intelligence and ability of people like Rashford to create chances.

“When you have players like Rashford, like Bruno, like Antony [Anthony] Martial, and like Christian Eriksen, don’t forget him, [who can] be creative in the final third and do the unexpected, the crazy, it also gives the team joy and excitement.”

Ten Hag also eased any concerns with Rashford’s departure in the 57th minute.

Said the boss of United Sky Sports: “We have a lot of games, Marcus played his game, he did his job, he scored another goal, we won, we are in a good position and Garnacho is hungry to play, play minutes and come into the team.

“Yes, we have to play one (more) game. We have to do the same, prepare and make a good plan. The players have to be focused.”