Amorim is already brewing Rashford next to Man UTD’s “goal machine”

Refreshing from a slight defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier this week, Manchester United are preparing for Sunday’s Manchester Derby.

As they were 1-0 on the final knock of the game, an Amado Diallo-inspired comeback flipped the match over his head. Ivolian was the first to score a penalty following a clumsy foul by Mateus Nunes.

That euphoric finale ensured that Reuben Amorim was the right way to seal his first victory in fixtures — as often in the United’s — was a problem from the field that dominated both pre- and post-match headlines.

In fact, the Portuguese coach had made the bold decision to leave both Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford from the match-day team for a meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side.

In Garnacho’s case, the 20-year-old then returned to Amorim’s good book with his recent victory in Leicester City, and as for Rashford, he hasn’t been seen in the United Shirt since England International moved his loan to Aston Villa in February.

With a winning goal in the Derby in March 2016, Etihad’s same fixture marked the beginning of the end with the perhaps 27-year-old Red Devils, making a permanent exit almost inevitable this summer.

The rise of Marcus Rashford at Man UTD in 2016

With three goals per week, Rashford was once again the town of Villa Park, and United Academy graduates began his stud career under Unai Emery, rocking the Amorim-led exiles.

The high-profile star, who can join the villain this summer in a £40 million deal by speaking about his desire for a “new challenge” in December, wants to leave his life at Old Trafford to end his long relationship with the Red Devils.

In fact, it appears to be the sad ending of a story that began in February 2016 with such a spectacular look. Rashford soared all night from an unknown teenager, following on from a brace against FC Midzilland in the Europa League.

That stunning display at his debut – coming amidst the oddly injury crisis of Louis Van Girl’s centre-forward ranks – followed by another double in his first Premier League appearance with Arsenal a few days later, and his 18-year-old position solidified his position as a new poster boy at the Theatre of Dreams.

Overall, the promising striker achieved eight goals to his name from just 18 senior outings in his 2015/16 campaign.

With United’s fourth league appearance, Rashford proved his hero after surges past his aging Martin DeMichelis, then cleverly slotted the ball past his compatriot Joe Hart, plunging travel fans into a frenzy.

Within just 10 years, the Red Devils head to the Derby without a 138-goal alumni (scoring six times against the city). But is Amorim ready to unleash the next Rashford instead?

Man Utd may be brewing the next Rashford

It’s easy to forget that when Rashford appeared in the scene at the first team level, it was an incredible story. The local hero will finish 2015/16 as part of the English team for the European Championship in France.

That journey combined last season with Cobby Mine, who was handed his first league start in November 2023, playing a key role in the surge to the Euro 2024 Finals, tying what proved to be the clincher of the May FA Cup showpiece.

It’s unlikely that the mid-game maestro will be coming this weekend. As the 19-year-old comes back from his latest injury retreat, another teenage talent could make his mark in the form of Chido Obi.

On City Grounds on Tuesday evening, Amorim’s men failed to score for the 11th league goal this season, with the former sports CP boss relying on throwing Harry Maguire as a striker in conjunction with death.

With Joshua Zilky and Rasmus Hozilund scoring just six top flight goals between them on 25/2024, there could be an opportunity for Obi to have a derby moment like his own Rashford.

The Danish starlet, dubbed an academy-level “goal machine” by data analyst Ben Matinson, was missing a mid-week defeat after a U18S FA Youth Cup loss to Villa on Monday night, crashing into a penalty by Adam Lawrence’s side.

Obi scored seven times in just three appearances in the previous competition, but so far, there was a complete tally for that age group as United have scored 12 goals from just 10 outings.

The 17-year-old, signed by Arsenal last summer, is certainly close in on a FA Cup clash after being rejected by Bernd Reno from an angle, but has yet to emulate after not scoring in any of the four alternative appearances at the senior level.

With United prioritizing the rest of the Europa League this season, Amorim may think it would be wise to give the likes of Hozilund and Zilgie a break ahead of their first leg tie against Lyon in Thursday’s quarter-finals.

That could give Obi, who is not qualified to feature in Europe, the opportunity to secure an initial start for Amorim’s side this weekend.

Unfortunately, Rashford now appears to be the end of a fruitful journey at Old Trafford. But for his potential successor, the adventure is just beginning.