Thread by @AbdelBeheri

Is Marcus Rashford Underrated or Overrated? - A thread.

Marcus Rashford - 22 years old.
Debut Feb 25, 2016.

Games played: 201
Minutes played: 12,804
Goals: 64
Assists: 33

Rashford burst onto the scenes as a sensational youngster from United's academy. #MUFC

Rashford's goal scoring record:

-G/90: 0.46
-A/90: 0.23
-G+A/90: 0.68

-Mins per Goal: 197
-Mins per Assist: 388
-Mins per G+A: 132.2

This means Rashford averages a goal or an assist every 1.5 game. #MUFC

Fact: Rashford scored 50 goals for United faster than CR (5 games less)

Assume: Rashford doesn't improve further, plays for United his entire career & maintains this level for 10 more years.

This will be his tally at 32:

Goals: 388 (Rooney record broken)
Assists: 111 (3rd highest assister for United)
G+A: 532 goal involvements in all comp. #MUFC

At 22 of age, Rashford has outscored, Sterling(G55), Aubameyang(G34), Salah, Kane(G52), Firmino(G25), Mane(G44), and Son(G32).

Myths about Rashford.

1. "Rashford only got his pace; Take that from him & he's got nothing else about him."

Rashford's play-making as winger:

-Goal Creation Action (GCA)/90: 0.47
-Shot Creation Action (SCA)/90 = 2.76
-KP/90: 1.47
-Mins per KP: 60.9

-Dribble success: 52.8%
-Mins per successful dribble: 78.5

Rashford is among the best wingers in play-making and better than the likes of Son, Mane, Aubameyang, and Pulisic. Same as Mahrez on ~ 1.48 Kp/90 each.

Sterling and Sane are better than Rashford in play-making. We'll discuss why later. #MUFC

2. "Rashford's goals are all on the counter."

Goals from non-counter play: 48/64 ~ 76%

3. "Rashford will never be elite because he will not hit 25+ goals a season."

Let's debunk the 25+ goals/season striker! #MUFC

In the PL history:

Only 13 players have 25+⚽️/szn.
Out of 13, only 4 have 25+ twice & only 2 did it 3 times.

*This is over the course of their entire career.

This myth comes from Messi & Ronaldo. It is unfair to hold all strikers/wingers to these standards. #MUFC

Work Rate

Rashford tops United's players in sprints/90.

Defensive Actions

-Mins per tackle: 94.8
-Mins per Interception/Block: 70.3

As a LW, Rashford has the best defensive actions in PL followed by:

Sane:
-Mins per tackle: 94.9
-Mins per Interception/Block: 89.8 #MUFC

Comparisons

MR vs Sterling, Sane, Son, and Mane since Marcus's debut in 2016.

1. Marcus was 17 and the rest were entering their prime apart from Sane.
2. Most are in attacking teams & had better midfield.

you'll notice all surpass Marcus in creativity and/or Assists. #MUFC

If you take them across their entire careers, Marcus will either edge them or match them. Again, apart from Sane in creativity (play-making).

However, Marcus is on par with them in G90, XG90, & Sh90 (some edge him a little) in their prime. Marus is 22. #MUFC

Shooting pattern.

Marcus doesn't take a lot of shot but he slightly started to increase his output since OGS came in. However, he reminded me of a lethal German called Klose. Their shooting patterns & quantity relative to their goals is similar. #MUFC

Klose towards the end of his career vs 19 year old Rashford. Marcus shots too little yet he 64 goals for United. Klose has a similar start but look at his output towards the end of his career. Klose was still more clinical, I must admit. #MUFC

Rashford's tactical Game

Works in the half-space

Ole's 4231. Offensively, Rashford tucks inside to play in the half-space. This allows United’s LB to bomb forward and provide width. LB can be served with a diagonal pass before going into the final 1/3. Look at Brandon. #MUFC

-Attack through the flanks, Rashford moves to the far-post.
-Attack the gap between the CBs. Such a run enables him to attack from the CB’s blind-spot.

Another variation of Rashford’s approach in the final 1/3:
- Short pass combinations with the ST Martial.
- Switching positions Rashford -> ST Martial -> LW
- Similar abilities and both can play both positions
#MUFC

As a ST, Rashford stays central and pin the CBs.
- Creates space b/w the lines for AM.
- Focal point for link-up play/lay off

Issues:
- Not enough runs from Rashford
- AM ability to play through lines.

Remember, Rashford played as a ST for OGS as interim & he was good. #MUFC

Shooting and dribbling

Discussed before.
- Top 5 dribblers in the league
- 2nd in nutmegs behind Jota from Wolves #MUFC

Defensive roles as a LW

Ole's high-press 4–2–3–1.
- Rashford would stand between the RB & CBs (Cover shadow/pressure).
- compact enough to prevent any central penetration.
- Force play back to GK or long balls for Victor & Harry to win

-Rashford presses Fabian Schär forces a loose pass.
-Mason Greenwood punches this mistake with a goal.

#MUFC

Opponents try to build from their RCB (Rashford’s near-side):
-Rashford press wide & close the RB instead.
-prevent the ball to be played wide
- overload area with ST, AM & FB/CDM.
- Such defensive roles are important for transition-heavy United tactics. #MUFC

Defensive roles as a ST

As a ST:
-Rashford press CBs.
-Prevent attack through the CBs.
-Press on-ball CB & close his far-side partner with cover-shadow.
-Limit CB’s time/space with ball forcing inaccurate long balls. #MUFC

When the ball is being played wide:
-close near by CB and join press.
-Pereira presses down LEI's LB.
- Rashford close down CB if LB plays ball backwards.

Potential issues/improvements

Issues in Rashford's game. As a ST or LW:

- lack of off-ball movements in the final 1/3.
- Rarely makes curved runs, sudden stops, short bursts to the goalmouth, and even runs in behind.
- Makes him predictable sometimes. #MUFC

Instead of making a curved run or a far-post movement as the green line suggests, Rashford stays in Söyüncü’s eyesight.

All of those issues can be solved with detailed tactical adjustments as well as good coaching from Solskjær and staff. #MUFC

The issues can traced back to the way United played under JM. A rigid system, where Rashford was more a Wing-back than a LW. This stiffed his development a little & it was clear he was not being coached to make those runs after LVG left, who Rashford played 11 games under. #MUFC

Conclusion

Rashford is a joy to watch. His unmatched speed, unlimited trickeries, & the unstoppable knuckle-balls are the reason behind that. At 22, Rashford has 200 Apps for his boyhood club. On top of that, he has also provided 64 goals and 33 assists for the Red Devils. #MUFC

It’s safe to say that Rashford is the true heir of United’s great number 10 shirt.

So, is Marcus Rashford overrated or underrated?

In my humble opinion, he's very underrated even by some of his own fans, which is sad. I believe, he'll prove everyone wrong though.

End. #MUFC