Marcus Rashford continues to silence his doubters this season! However, this time the Englishman's display against Wolves carried extra weight!
Manchester United traveled to the Molineux Stadium for Saturday's early fixture in what was the club's final game of 2022. However, controversy struck early as the aforementioned Three Lions ace was dropped for this tie as a disciplinary measure.
Erik ten Hag confirmed this just before kick-off but the Dutch tactician refused to go into detail as to what Marcus was guilty of committing. Nonetheless, the Red Devils' top scorer this season watched on from the bench as Bruno Fernandes and Co. struggled to break down the opposition in the first half. However, the Dutch boss wasted no time in bringing on his attacker, introducing him straight after the break.
And what a decision this turned out to be! Rashford immediately injected directness and intensity into Manchester United's attack, and in the 76th minute, the 25-year-old sealed the three points for the visitors.
After playing a brilliant one-two with Bruno Fernandes, the Old Trafford academy graduate showed his strength to hold off a challenge from Wolves' Jonny before burying the ball past Jose Sa. Check out the goal in the clips below (videos are geo-restricted).
It just had to be Marcus Rashford
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 31, 2022
The substitute finds the back of the net and puts Man United ahead pic.twitter.com/1ElYk84w9Q
Marcus Rashford comes off the bench and puts Manchester United in front!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 31, 2022
@USA_Network#MyPLMorning | #WOLMUN pic.twitter.com/q4rDUSeDsp
Rashford today:
— SuperSport Football (@SSFootball) December 31, 2022
45' Subbed on by Ten Hag
76' Scores for Manchester United
The main man delivers with his 11th goal of the season.
Stream #WOLMUN live: https://t.co/Tg69y0EeUL pic.twitter.com/sane3EQrgf
In fact, Marcus could have gotten a brace but was denied an extra goal by VAR after the ball ricocheted off his arm before creeping into the back of the net.
That goal meant that the decision to bench Rashford would not dominate the post-match discussion given the victory. Nonetheless, all looks to be well between the player and manager as the pair shared a warm embrace at full-time.
Ten Hag with Rashford at full time after his goal earned #mufc the three points at Wolves. pic.twitter.com/f8reLFgdRe
— Charlotte Duncker (@CharDuncker) December 31, 2022
Speaking after the game, the attacker revealed that the issue stems from him missing an important meeting due to oversleeping. Nonetheless, the player showed his worth and secured his side the three points, thus temporarily leapfrogging Tottenham into the fourth spot.