MARCUS RASHFORD is an inspiration to the nation’s youth, we all knowthat by now.
And not least to his Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood.
Sub Marcus Rashford fires his hat-trick goal in stoppage time to round off Man Utd’s astonishing 5-0 winCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Marcus Rashford seems to take his amazing display from the bench in his stride after his third strikeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Striker Marcus Rashford smashes his brilliant second goal to make it 3-0 on 78 minutesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Greenwood refers to the great 22-year-old statesman as his hero.
But as United scored a resounding victory over the Bundesliga leaders- the sort which would have reverberated across Europe – Greenwood ledthe way for Rashford to score an 18-minute hat-trick as a sub.
It was the 19-year-old Greenwood, who had been sent home in disgracedfrom England duty last month, who started the rout with the benefit ofa fag-paper VAR call.
And when Rashford replaced Greenwood just after the hour, he ignoredan erroneous offside flag to benefit from another tight VAR call forthe first of his own quick-fire double.
Rashford’s selflessness is well-documented in his campaigning againstchild hunger and poverty.
He showed the same quality on the pitch when he gave up a chance tocomplete a hat-trick from the penalty spot, allowing Anthony Martialto net United’s fourth.
But then he secured the matchball anyway with a thumping finish ininjury-time.
What a magnificent night this was for United. Perhaps the best resultof Solskjaer’s reign – given the width of the scoreline, better eventhan their two famous away victories over Paris St Germain.
Forget the histories of these two clubs – United 20-time champions ofEngland, Leipzig formed the year after United had won their mostrecent European Cup.
Because the German club, top of the Bundeslia and Champions leaguesemi-finalists last term, came into this match looking the moresettled and accomplished team.
Man Utd’s back-in-form striker Mason Greenwood hails his breakthrough strike in the Champions League clash at home to RB LeipzigCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Mason Greenwood steers home the Man Utd opener on 21 minutesCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
Marcus Rashford doubles the Man Utd lead on 74 minutes to spark their late rompCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Yet United soaked up plenty of pressure and, in an era without homeadvantage, were able to play as the away team – which suits them -breaking with pace, finishing with dead-eyed efficiency.
This ‘group of death’ had looked a whole lot less fatal after lastweek’s win over PSG.
Still, being grouped with two of last season’s semi-finalists seemed atough ask for United – who have not reached the Champions League’slast four in nine seasons now.
Yet United have made light work of it.
Solskjaer made five changes from the side held by Chelsea on Saturday- Bruno Fernandes and Rashford the surprise admissions, with theUnited boss blaming fixture congestion.
Rashford hardly looked jaded when he got his chance.
Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann didn’t really need his extraordinarytailoring to make him noticed – at only 33, he has long been touted asa potential future manager of Europe’s most illustrious clubs.
Yet the man in the rascal sports jacket soon saw his side pushed backby a spell of United pressure – Fred’s deflected shot pushed aroundpost by Peter Gulacsi.
And it was he restored pairing of Pogba and Greenwood which earnedUnited’s 21st-minute breakthrough – even if VAR was apparently caughtnapping.
Fred won possession and fed Pogba, who surged forward and expertlyweighted a pass for Greenwood to steer a first-time left-footed shotinside the far post.
Replays suggested Greenwood was offside by a toenail or so, evenmembers of the United coaching staff appeared to think so.
But VAR – seemingly more lenient than the Premier League version -gave the good old-fashioned benefit of the doubt to the attacker.
David De Gea soon had to push away a powerful effort from ChristopherNkunku with Leipzig looking confident and quick-witted in attack.
If the Germans were enjoying plenty of purposeful possession, then themore special moments belonged to United.
Early in the second half, Pogba produced another peachy pass torelease Anthony Martial, who wasted the half-chance.
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer encourages his men as RB Leipzig chief Julian Nagelsmann looks on anxiouslyCredit: AP:Associated Press
Paul Pogba slides into action as United put German visitors Leipzig under pressureCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Leipzig star defender Dayot Upamecano had a torrid night despite reportedly being a transfer target for Man Utd chief Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: EPA
Then Greenwood pulled a couple of bandy-legged step-overs out of hisparty bag and saw a ripping shot pushed away by Gulacsi.
Ibrahima Konate got away with a handball while grounded – the VARofficial a bleeding-heart liberal once more, as possessed to our ownhanging judges of Stockley Park.
Donny Van de Beek enjoyed some eye-catching moments as he earned hisfirst United start in an A-list fixture – including a tangle withMarcel Halstenberg which brought a decent penalty shout.
Soon after the hour, Greenwood made way for Rashford, last week’splasterer of Paris.
After De Gea was called into point-blank action to push over a Konateheader, Rashford came to the fore.
Again VAR favoured United, Rashford was inches inside his own halfwhen released by fellow sub Fernandes and he ignored an early,incorrect offside flag to advance and score with supreme cool.
Rashford’s second came courtesy of an excellent tackle from Fred,which turned into a pass, allowing the England forward to finish withrelish.
And when Martial was upended by Marcel Sabitzer, Rashford allowed theFrenchman his first goal of the season from the penalty spot.
Then came the emphatic finish and the completion of Rashford’s treble.
They reckon he can’t be a contender for BBC Sports Personality of theYEar because he hasn’t achieved enough ON the field.
Are they kidding?
Christopher Nkunku lets fly as the French midfielder goes close for RB Leipzig before Utd tore them apart late onCredit: EPA More