Marcus Rashford has received massive plaudits for the manner in which he set up Paul Pogba to score Manchester United's opening goal against Bournemouth. The 21-year-old managed to produce his best Ronaldinho impression to tee up with the Frenchman to grab his sixth Premier League goal.
Pressed by two Bournemouth players, the English youngest beat his first opponent with quick stepovers and slotted the ball past him before going past his second with an 'elastico'. His pass across was then redirected into the net by an onrushing Paul Pogba. Watch the move below:
SO much skill from Rashford and Pogba pic.twitter.com/2vZWS87483
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 30, 2018
With barely a minute left to the end of the first half, Rashford grabbed a goal of his by tap home a cross from Antony Martial. This came after Pogba had scored his second goal of the day and Nathan Ake had pulled one back for Bournemouth.
Earlier, Manchester United's new interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed how he aims to assist the young striker to reach his full attacking capabilities. He iterated that despite the player's pace and strength, he needed to adopt calmer mentality in front of goal.
"Marcus has got far more than I did in terms of physical attributes, his pace, his strength and striking the ball from outside the box," he stated ahead of his side's game against Bournemouth.
"But maybe I can give him a little bit of the nous that I had inside the box.
"I'm talking about the little moves you make to get free, that little bit of calmness in front of goal.
"Marcus is 21. He is still learning. The most important thing I can see is to just settle him down in front of goal.
"I've seen him rush a few finishes. He thinks 'I've got to get a shot off early' when sometimes you just pass it past the 'keeper. I always say the goal never moves."
Although Rashford cannot be credited for Manchester United's opening goal against Bournemouth, many have lauded him for the little cameo in the build-up to the goal.
That's unbelievable from Rashford. Skill, control and touch in that run is incredible. On a plate for Pogba.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) December 30, 2018
Listen here pals.....GIVE THE MAN RASHFORD 5* SKILLS!!!!! pic.twitter.com/vXz2d1Jsgw
— Castro1021 (@Castro1021) December 30, 2018
That's five assists in December for Rashford. Strength, skill, vision and precision all on show there
— Ryan Baldi (@RyanBaldiFW) December 30, 2018
utd 1-0 up. Tap in from Pogba. Sensational skills from Rashford in the build up to set him up. Fantastic goal. Old Trafford bouncing
— Paul Hirst (@hirstclass) December 30, 2018
Man Utd 1 Bournemouth 0 - Lovely bit of skill on the right by Rashford followed by excellent cross for Pogba to direct home
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) December 30, 2018
Jim Beglin: "You can only enjoy such skill from Rashford. The run is good, he takes the centre-half out of his comfort zone and then the footwork is absolutely brilliant. Ake is gone, Rico is gone, and then it's a tap-in for Pogba. 'Thanks mate' – that is absolutely majestic." pic.twitter.com/MDWnfTttWj
— Enock Kobina Essel (@kobinaessel39) December 30, 2018
