“Take care of yourself now. Have fun. But you’re going to get a lot of media attention. Everyone’s going to know about you. You’ve gone from no one knowing you to being a potential superstar…”
These were the words Michael Carrick gave Marcus Rashford 10 years ago after he embarked on his dream spell at Manchester United.
The diminutive, fresh-faced 18-year-old from Wythenshawe saw his life changed forever in two games three days apart, scoring four goals and catapulting his career to the glory of a promising superstar.
There is a fairy tale, and then there is the story of Rashford’s debut. Everything went smoothly and the sliding doors moved smoothly, allowing him a worthy career with over 400 senior appearances for United, 68 England caps and over 150 goals for both club and country.
Starting with the Europa League game against Midtjylland on the night before the Premier League Classic against Arsenal, Rashford not only realized a dream, it turned into a dream.
Rooney out, Martial injured…what’s next?
The legend is worn out. United were faced with a number of injuries in their forward areas ahead of their round of 32 match against Midtjylland.
United had to save face at Old Trafford after their humiliation against Denmark, but captain Wayne Rooney was absent through injury. Anthony Martial was next injured, this time minutes before kick-off. Louis van Gaal, the manager at the time, had little time to think and had to make a decision, but it was not a difficult one for the Dutch manager.
Frans Hook alongside Rashford after his debut against Midtjylland
“When we got back to the dressing room, the assistants, apart from Marcus, were coming up with all kinds of solutions,” Frans Hoek, a key figure in Van Gaal’s coaching staff at the time, told Sky Sports.
“They were like, ‘Okay, if we do this, this player will be there and blah, blah, blah.'” The usual discussion you have when something like that happens.
“And when everyone had said what they had to say, Louis said, ‘We’re not changing anything. Marcus is in. Marcus deserves it. Marcus is doing a good job. He’s growing. He’s young and I believe in that.’ That was the moment.”
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Louis van Gaal says Marcus Rashford put in a “great performance” after scoring twice on his Manchester United debut against FC Midtjylland.
Van Gaal had pinned his hopes on a player whose only previous first-team experience was on the bench at Watford a few months earlier.
“Credit to Lewis for never being afraid to bring in young players,” Hook added.
“He did the same thing with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and with the national team. For him, if they are good enough, they are old enough. It’s simple.”
“And he definitely wasn’t afraid to replace people who had solid reputations if he thought it was best for the team.
“A manager like Louis is unaffected. He just has his eyes and his way of thinking. He brought in Andres Iniesta, he brought in Xavi, he brought in so many players.
“I think if you’re objective as a coach and not influenced by everything that’s going on around football, you can make these kinds of decisions quicker.”
“At the academy Rashford could do whatever he wanted in football.”
From the outside, it was a surprise. “Who the hell is this kid?” people in the stands shouted during the late substitutions. However, those close to Rashford will know that throughout his academy days he was marked early on and had an impact on the first team.
Following Rashford’s debut double in the Premier League, James Weir made his Manchester United debut against Arsenal.
“He was the man!” James Weir, who played alongside Rashford in the United academy.
“He was two years younger and I knew his name, but I couldn’t tell anyone the names of anyone in my age group.
“I think they can technically judge it, and they know when he’s going to bulk up. He had two older brothers who were also pretty big and tall, so maybe they expected him to grow up and bulk up.”
“But technically, he was pretty good. The first time I played with him was probably one of the reserve games, like the under-21s or the under-23s. And he was ahead of people a few years older just because he was so good.”
“He was always like that. I remember in Dig we used to play soccer with balloons, and he did it all over the world. In fact, playing soccer with balloons is more difficult than regular soccer.”
“He could do anything he wanted to do in football. He could even keep up with a tennis ball. Most people are lucky enough to do four or five. He does that consistently.”
Memories of Rashford’s first training sessions with the first team have lived with former teammate and current Melbourne Victory midfielder Juan Mata for the past 10 years.
Rashford training with Juan Mata
“I remember that day clearly. He was playing on the right side,” Mata said.
“He was quite lean and quick. He was quite shy off the pitch, but brave on the pitch. That was good to see. You could see him already taking people one-on-one and falling back. Very quick, very quick.”
“At the end of the session, I was talking to Ander Herrera and he said, ‘Did you see this kid? I think he’s going to be a great player.’
“Ander saw it right from the beginning. I remember him telling me that day that he had a lot to bring. And I remember saying, ‘Well, wait, it’s early, he’s only trained with us once’…Ander wasn’t wrong.”
Manchester United starting line-up on Rashford’s debut
Mata set up Rashford’s first professional goal and turned the tide.
“You could see how happy he was with his family in the stands. It meant a lot to him,” Mata recalled.
“It was the start of something really great for him and a really great start to a good week. I still remember celebrating with him and it was so nice to see how this boy from Manchester was realizing his dreams and to know how happy he was and how much he deserved it.”
The game against Arsenal was a special day for the United academy, following United’s 5-1 win over Midtjylland.
As well as Rashford’s Premier League debut, Timothy Fosu-Mensah also earned his first stripes, as did Weir as United beat the Gunners 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Louis van Gaal imitates Alexis Sanchez from the touchline
Weir, who replaced Herrera in stoppage time, watched from the dugout as Rashford continued his excellent performance, contributing to all three goals.
“I remember when he scored his first goal. I’m not surprised, because he has it, I saw it in training, I saw it in the academy, I saw it in the reserves, he has quality. I saw it in the backyard!”
“I remember him making noise and obviously everyone around the club was buzzing for him because that’s what happens when you take a youth team player to the first team.”
“He was a child and a man who gave his all to Manchester United” – Mata
Since then, Rashford’s momentum has continued unabated. He went on to help United win the FA Cup that season.
His first call-up and debut goal came three months later, so England and Roy Hodgson couldn’t ignore the genius. Rashford was then included in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2016, making two appearances.
Rashford made his England debut in May 2016.
After a difficult period following back-to-back loans to Aston Villa and now Barcelona, Rashford’s time at Old Trafford is coming to an end for good and divorce appears to be the best option for both parties. But there is consensus that he has written a beautiful story at United.
“It’s not easy to deal with all the expectations and pressures at a club like Man United, but I think people will understand that he was a guy who gave everything for his childhood and for the club he supported since he was a kid,” Mata says.
“You can see pictures of him when he was almost a baby in a Man United shirt. So it meant a lot to him to play for Man United, you can see that. I think he gave a lot of fans great moments and great memories. Of course there were difficult times, but I think they made him a more mature and stronger man.”
“No one has an easy career. It doesn’t matter how successful you are. There are always challenges and he experienced them at the club as well. But he is now entering a new chapter. He has gone to Barcelona, one of the best teams in the world, and is performing there. He is showing his level. I am very happy that he was able to try to prove his level in different countries.”
Rashford smiles during Barcelona training session at Camp Nou
Hook, who also has a storied coaching career at Barcelona, shares Mata’s sentiments. Rashford made 34 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists.
“Rashford was easy to work with,” Hook says.
“He’s hard-working, he doesn’t complain. Of course it’s different when they start their careers, but I’ve followed his career from United to Barcelona and he’s doing great things there.
“I think he lived up to the expectations at Barcelona. I think his experience in that league away from United and the Premier League was a great experience for him. I think it was all very positive things for him.”
Rashford has scored 10 goals and provided 13 assists in 34 games for Barcelona.
But Weir remains hopeful that Rashford’s story at United is far from over.
“I hope he wins La Liga and the Champions League this year,” Weir said.
“If you go and do it, he’s done it. But I want him to come back to United.
“When he’s 40 he’ll look back and think he’s finished that chapter of his career there. He’s the kind of player he is. Hopefully he’ll go to the World Cup and do well there. And if United can win the Champions League, that’s what was created for him.”
“I think a lot will depend on the manager who takes over at United, but the club is certainly growing right now and he’s a great player, so he’ll definitely add something to the Manchester United squad.”
It started out as a picture book, and the story of how he became a superstar was just like a video game. The future of Rashford’s career may be uncertain, but we will never forget the fresh-faced 18-year-old from Wythenshawe who lived to achieve his dreams.
