Marcus Rashford makes friendly appearance vs. Blackburn, scores twice

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford made another big step towards return from injury on Wednesday, scoring twice in a 60-minute friendly. While other first teamers are away with their national teams, the remaining squad members have been given the chance to stay fresh in a behind closed doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers. United won 3-0 in the match, and the United faithful were delighted to hear of Rashford’s performance.

Rashford returns to action (sort of) after missing United’s preseason and August and September fixtures due to recovery after should surgery. The injury had been bothering him since early in the year, and he decided to fix the problem and recover after a sluggish end to the season and struggle to break into the England starting XI at the Euros.

Rashford returns to the United side at a great time for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co. The team have struggled in recent weeks to find creativity in the final third, and though Rashford won’t fix the midfield problems his high work rate in attack and build up play will hopefully bring more balance to the front three. He will get the opportunity to play opposite his good pal Jadon Sancho for the first time, as well as partner once again with Bruno Fernandes, with whom he’s formed an effective partnership for United over the last two seasons.

Whether Rashford will maintain his goal scoring form from the last two seasons remains to be seen, as the arrival of one Cristiano Ronaldo has shifted the focus of goal scoring to the front of the formation, but there will be no doubt about his work rate and commitment to creating as well as converting opportunities. He became the first United player to net 20 goals in consecutive seasons since Wayne Rooney last season, and the hope is now that he will continue making a strong impact as the club’s no. 10.