Manchester United’s flying start on Ruben Amorim’s debut wasn’t enough to provide the Portuguese head coach with a win on his first game in charge of the club.
Marcus Rashford poked United into the lead after just 80 seconds against Ipswich Town, and despite the game ending one-a-piece, the forward’s goal earned him a place in the club’s record books.
As reported by manutd.com, Rashford’s early strike is the quickest scored on record by a United player in a manager’s maiden outing.
The goal owed much to Amad Diallo, whose fine work down the right flank allowed the 27-year-old to nip in front of Arijanet Muric in the Ipswich goal to get Amorim’s Red Devils off to an electric start at Portman Road.
However, United couldn’t make their advantage count and allowed Omari Hutchinson to equalise just before the break to ensure the shares were spoilt in the end.
Alongside the timing of the goal, Rashford has also now scored in debut matches for two separate United managers, a feat only matched by two other players down the years.
Rashford’s rasping free-kick set United on their way against Cardiff City in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game in charge which ended in a 5-1 victory in Wales, kicking off a fine run of results for the legendary Norwegian.
Lou Macari also managed opening day strikes under both Dave Sexton and Ron Atkinson, against West Midlands duo Birmingham City and Coventry City respectively.
No surprise that Wayne Rooney is the name that makes up the trio, having netted in Ryan Giggs’ opening game in caretaker charge against Norwich City and for Louis van Gaal in his first outing versus Swansea City.
Rashford will be desperate for Sunday’s goal to kickstart an upturn in form with the forward underperforming for the last 18 months.
It was a new role for the Mancunian on Sunday as he played as the focal point of United’s attack rather than out wide where he is more accustomed to playing since his debut.
Goal aside, Rashford didn’t look too comfortable through the middle but will have to get used to playing in more central positions if he is to thrive under the new head coach.
It’s unlikely he will be used in the wing-back roles favoured by Amorim due to his lack of defensive awareness and his low work rate off the ball.
Rashford will be in line for a starting berth in United’s next game as Amorim makes his Old Trafford bow against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Feature image Stephen Pond via Getty Images
Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
