Marcus Rashford has revealed what Erik ten Hag told him before scoring twice after coming off the bench for Manchester United against Omonia in the Europa League.
The left-winger was left on the bench in Cyprus as Ten Hag looked to give Cristiano Ronaldo a chance in the line-up. Jadon Sancho started from the left.
Dominance in the opening stages led to a sucker punch as the hosts scored from a rare counter-attack.
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Both Sancho and Tyrell Malacia were at fault for the goal, with the winger playing backwards and the defender losing his footing.
In response to this, the manager brought both Luke Shaw and Rashford on for the pair on the left.
A brilliant finish by the Englishman put United level. He then played a cute pass to assist Anthony Martial for the second.
In the late stages, his anticipation in the box was rewarded as he turned in Ronaldo's half-cross, half-shot.
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After being left out of the most recent England squad, Rashford looks eager to impress.
He explained that the Dutch manager gave him some specific instructions at half-time, with the Reds 1-0 down at the time.
"When he [Ten Hag] made the subs, he just wanted us to be a little bit more dynamic," he told BT Sport.
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"Take more chances going forward and just try and score goals,
"When you're 1-0 down that's what you've got to do."
It was quite an anonymous performance on the weekend against Manchester City by United's no.10, he was isolated up front for large periods of the game.
Two goals and an assist from the bench was the perfect response to a poor showing. He now has five goals and three assists this season.
"Any game [gives you] the next opportunity to do better than your last game," Rashford added.
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"It was massively needed after the weekend. To come here in difficult circumstances, it's a positive result for us, we just have to tidy up the mistakes."
Rashford looked very sharp coming from the left on Thursday, but has also been playing centrally this season in the Premier League.
Whilst that is arguably due to Martial's injury trouble, the forward has explained that his versatility is only a plus for him and United.
"I think I can play both [on the left and through the middle], the left side is probably more natural for me. It's a big positive to have [versatility]."
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Europa League, Marcus Rashford
Cain Smith