Marcus Rashford turns 22: A look at the young striker's career path

Marcus Rashford turns 22 today but Manchester United fans will be forgiven for thinking that the young English striker has been around for quite some time. Rashford once again turned on the style when he netted an audacious free-kick to secure a 2-1 away win for Manchester United against Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene three years back when Louis Van Gaal was in charge of the Red Devils. However, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku ahead of him in the pecking order, the then-19-year old England international found game time hard to come by with such pedigree in United's attack. Since then, Zlatan Ibrahimovic left United to go back to the MLS with LA Galaxy, while Romelu Lukaku left for Italian pastures to team up with Antonio Conte's Inter Milan. Lukaku's departure means that when fit, Rashford is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's only senior number nine in the squad, with Anthony Martial better suited to the wings. As Rashford turns 22 today, here's a look at his career path.     

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Marcus Rashford's Manchester United debut

Marcus Rashford was first named on the bench for United's game against Watford in the Premier League in 2015. However, it was 2016 when Rashford truly announced himself to the United faithful. In United's UEFA Europa League second leg tie against Midtjylland, Rashford made his first-team debut, replacing Anthony Martial in the line-up. Rashford repaid his manager's faith with two goals in the game, thus becoming one of the youngest players to score for United in European competitions. Three days later, Rashford made his Premier League debut against Arsenal. Rashford was involved in all the goals in the 3-2 victory against the Gunners, as the young striker scored two and set up another goal in the win. Rashford's debut season was a productive one, with the striker netting five goals in 11 appearances for the club. 

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The following season saw Marcus Rashford make the most number of appearances for the Red Devils that season, as the young striker appeared in 53 games for United that season. He also picked up some silverware that season, with United securing the EFL Cup, as well the UEFA Europa League. The 2017/18 season wasn't too productive for the England international, as he netted just seven goals in 35 appearances in the Premier League. Two of those, however, came against arch-rivals Liverpool.

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The following season saw Rashford take the number 10 shirt which was left vacant by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 2018/19 season saw Rashford make his 100th league appearance for the club, becoming the second-youngest player to reach the milestone, after Ryan Giggs. He ended the 2018/19 season with 10 goals in 33 appearances in the Premier League. So far, in the 2019/20 season, in Man United's first 10 games of the Premier League, Rashford has scored five goals, which is half of his 2018/19 tally. With Rashford finally fit and firing for the Red Devils this season after a couple of injuries scares, the England international could form a pacy attacking triumvirate along with Anthony Martial and Daniel James this season. 

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