MARCUS RASHFORD got the Ruben Amorim era at Manchester United off to the perfect start by scoring after just 81 SECONDS.
Amorim‘s side went down to Ipswich for the first game in charge since the former Sporting Lisbon boss took over.
"Ruben's reds have RIPPED right into it."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 24, 2024
Marcus Rashford gifts Ruben Amorim with a goal early doors against Ipswich Town 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uIrmN7zbMX
PAMarcus Rashford scored just 81 seconds into Ruben Amorim’s reign at Man Utd[/caption]
Much had been made about Amorim’s proposed switch to a back three with wing-backs.
But with only two natural centre-backs named in the starting XI for the Ipswich clash there was concern over how it might work.
However, those questions were dismissed as right wing-back Amad Diallo burst through the Tractor Boys defence and towards the penalty area.
He then whipped a cross into the penalty area which found Rashford who was playing at centre-forward.
The 27-year-old was then able to sidefoot the ball into the back of the net with a deft touch past goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
SunSport had taken a look at how Rashford might rediscover his goalscoring touch under Amorim as a central striker or on the left-side of the front three.
And the decision to play him ahead of Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee provided early vindication for Amorim and his coaches.
Before the game against Ipswich, Rashford had scored just one in the Premier League – coming against Southampton in September.
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He had bagged three more in the Europa League and League Cup, but had generally been asked to play in a more creative role that had yielded three assists in all competitions.
The move to centre-forward puts Rashford into more dangerous areas where he will be able to impact the game in the most decisive way.
Elsewhere in the team, Diogo Dalot lined up at left wing-back, with Jonny Evans, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui named as the three centre-backs.
Christian Eriksen and Casemiro played as the two central midfielders in the system, while Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho starred as the two 10s behind Rashford.