Marcus Rashford ended a 189-day goalless streak in Man United's 3-0 win over Southampton. For the England striker personally, this goal brought great joy and optimism.
The Red Devils' victory at St Mary's was only the second time Man United have celebrated this season in the Premier League. This is their biggest away win since October last year. To get these precious 3 points, Erik ten Hag's team had to go through a very difficult first 30 minutes. They had to concede a penalty and their attack was deadlocked against the home team.
The biggest problem for United was Southampton's aggressive play and willingness to commit fouls. However, that did not stop the Red Devils from showing composure and controlling the game. Kobbie Mainoo took on the role of regulating the tempo of the match in midfield, while Rashford and Amad Diallo had plenty of space in attack. In addition, Alejandro Garnacho and Manuel Ugarte also showed effectiveness when coming on as substitutes.
The most important factor in this victory lies in the spirit of the Man United team. Unlike many previous matches, the Old Trafford team led by 2 goals many times but easily lost control. The victory over Southampton showed confidence and ease in the way they played. This was even more evident when Marcus Rashford scored and the whole team happily shared his joy. The 26-year-old striker's first goal in more than 6 months not only brought excitement to himself, it also inspired the whole team.
Rashford faced many challenges last season, from injuries to not being included in the Euro 2024 squad for England. Playing just 12 games in that time, the pressure was on him as chances were missed one after another. The goal against Southampton was a good chance for the "Doctor" to confirm that he can still come back and shine again.
For Man United, Rashford is a special emotive symbol. His success or failure not only affects the team on the pitch but also the overall team spirit. Similar to Bruno Fernandes, Rashford has the ability to influence the psychology of his teammates. The excitement that Rashford brings in moments like this is completely different from other players like Christian Eriksen or Diogo Dalot.
The goal against Southampton was not a special one, Rashford still has a lot of work to do to improve his pressing ability and maintain consistency. However, this goal has a meaning beyond the statistics. When Marcus Rashford is happy, he spreads positivity to the whole team and can help Man United get more excited in the next stage.
