The Manchester Derby: Can Rashford repeat last season's Etihad exploits?

“I decide when it’s time to stop and nothing else,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic put on his official Instagram account this week. The Swede is ruled out for the rest of the year with a knee injury sustained in the Europa League extra time win over Anderlecht earlier this month in what is set to be the most serious setback of his glittering career. His absence comes at a tough time for Manchester United too, as Jose Mourinho’s side battle on two fronts for Europa League glory and a place in the top-4 of the Premier League. 

In the immediate aftermath the injury was understandably seen as a devastating blow to United - he has, after all, scored more Premier League goals (17) than any other player for the side since August 2015 - but it could well be a blessing in disguise for Mourinho’s team. It’s no coincidence that United’s best performance of the season came in the 2-0 win over Chelsea, a match Ibrahimovic started on the bench, with youngster Marcus Rashford playing a starring role in the victory over the Blues, opening the scoring in the early exchanges. 

Rashford has found starting opportunities hard to come by this season, with the teenager registering just 13 league starts this season, most of which have come out wide rather than as the central striker, where he can utilise his searing pace to hurt opponents. This was highlighted excellently in his goal against Chelsea and while Ander Herrera handled the ball in the buildup, Rashford did brilliantly to peel off David Luiz and offer his Spanish teammate the opportunity to thread a perfectly weighted ball into the final third for the 19-year-old to finish past Asmir Begovic. 

Having saved the day for United in extra time against Anderlecht, Rashford struggled to make an impact from the bench against Burnley, but is expected to be reinstated to the starting XI for Thursday’s Manchester Derby. The striker has previous against City also having netted the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win in this fixture last season, becoming the youngest ever scorer in the history of the derby in the process. With Ibrahimovic out, there will be ample pressure on Rashford to again put the City backline to the sword at the Etihad Stadium. 

What’s crucial here is that the frontman comes into the fixture in good form, having faltered for a substantial chunk of the campaign. Between the end of September and the beginning of April, Rashford managed just three goals in 33 competitive appearances for United, in the most part due to playing a bit-part role under Mourinho. However, he has netted three goals in his last five competitive showings, with United a far more fluid attacking outfit when he starts rather than Ibrahimovic. 

As successful a signing as Ibrahimovic has been, at 35 years of age, he’s very much a temporary solution to the club’s striking woes. What’s more is that the former PSG man has never been renowned for his speed on or off the ball, which at times slows United’s attack. The rapport he has struck up with his teammates has been impressive, but with the pace of those around him, there is perhaps greater potential for Mourinho to build his attacking around the speed and youthful exuberance of Rashford. 

Thursday’s derby is just another opportunity for the youngster to prove his worth to Mourinho and highlight just why he warrants a regular starting spot as the lead striker, particularly with Ibrahimovic sidelined. Manchester City have endured their defensive woes this term, with Pep Guardiola’s side keeping just one clean sheet in their last seven home league games and just three at the Etihad Stadium all campaign. What’s more is that no outfielder has committed more errors that have led to an opposition goal than summer signing John Stones (3) in the Premier League this season, with City’s backline suspect at best. 

With his directness both on and off the ball, Rashford has the attacking capabilities to really hurt City. United’s defensive issues mean they are perhaps unlikely to come away with all the spoils, but in Rashford; supporters can take solace in that they have at their disposal a striker in fine form who has previous against City, in a Manchester Derby that could have huge implications as to who secures a top-4 finish this season.