THROWBACK: Marcus Rashford double helps Manchester United sink Liverpool – here’s why he’ll be crucial again!

Last time Liverpool visited Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford’s brace helped Manchester United to a 2-1 victory. He will be hoping he can replicate that same goalscoring touch on Sunday when the two sides meet again. I look back at last season’s fixture and how The Red Devil’s number 10 could be crucial once again.

Heading into the match at the Theatre of Dreams, Manchester United sat second in the Premier League table, a staggering 16 points behind leaders Manchester City. Jose Mourinho was trying to guide his team to as high a place as possible with the title race already over in March.

Liverpool sat third with 60 points, United two clear in second. With little else to play for other than the FA Cup, their matches against rivals became almost a separate tournament. It meant so much more than any other game in the league campaign, treated as a cup final and providing both sets of fans with something to get their teeth into.

Form

The two sides came into the match with differing form. United had been dominant against the lower league clubs, but their three losses in the months of November, December and January were all against top six sides.

If that didn’t worry fans enough, Mourinho’s men suffered a shock defeat to Newcastle United too in February. However, the United faithful could take comfort from the fact they responded with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

Liverpool had been in top form only losing one of their last 20 in the league, but they’d only picked up maximum points against the top six twice.

The match

Ten minutes later and it was two. And similar frailties caught Liverpool out again. Lukaku managed to hold the ball up this time, after De Gea went long again, feeding through Juan Mata. The Spanish magician couldn’t get his feet sorted out, but when tackled the ball fell to Rashford, who made it two.

Up until the half time break, United were much the dominant side. Although, Jurgen Klopp’s half time team talk did the trick and Liverpool came out for the second half with a lot more energy. Despite this, the visitors failed to create too many openings and it wasn’t until Eric Bailly inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net to half the lead.

As the Liverpool momentum grew and the travelling support increased in volume, United fans subconsciously shuffled to the edge of their seats. But, on the pitch, Liverpool still couldn’t open up Mourinho’s solid defence to get back into the game.

The match finished 2-1 and will always be remembered for Marcus Rashford’s clinical brace in the first half, especially his first of the two. It was reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo in a red shirt, chopping onto his right-foot, before unleashing a fearsome shot past Loris Karius

Why Marcus Rashford will be crucial again this weekend?

The Manchester United academy graduate has been on fire since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho in December. An increase in confidence has done wonders for his game as the striker continues to up his goal tally whilst playing in the central striker role.

If United are to have any success against a title-chasing Liverpool team this Sunday, then Rashford has to continue his clinical streak. It may be a cagey affair with few chances, it may be littered with them. But, Rashford needs to make sure that if he breaks away on the counter, he tucks a chance away early on, therefore it won’t play on his mind for the rest of the match.

Other than this, his defensive work along with Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial has been superb since the Norwegian returned. The biggest difference post-Mourinho has been the emphasis on pressing the ball high up the pitch in order to win it back.

If Lingard and Martial are not fit for this weekend’s clash, there will be more onus on Rashford to cover the grass quickly and press Liverpool. Especially if he is partnered with Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku up front, two players who are not as quick across the park.

One thing Romelu Lukaku does have other his younger colleague is his ability to hold the ball up and hold off defenders. Rashford’s first touch is better than the Belgian’s and he may have to rely on it when going up against Van Dijk. He is not going to be able to outmuscle the Liverpool centre half, but it is crucial Rashford manages to keep the ball in order to take the pressure off United’s defence.