Rashford scored United’s second goal in their 3-0 win at Goodison Park from the penalty spot. Captain Bruno Fernandes handed over spot-taking duties and Rashford made no mistake to score just his second goal of the season for the Red Devils. The England international has now dedicated the strike to his late cousin in a post on social media.
United moved up to sixth place after the win. Fernandes, the captain and United’s regular penalty taker, revealed after the match he gave Rashford the chance to take it as he felt his team-mate “needed a bit of confidence.”
Speaking after the game, Fernandes said: “I felt that Marcus needed goals. Marcus is an excellent penalty-taker too.
“I’m 100 per cent sure that he could score the penalty. It’s not about who takes it, it’s about scoring the penalty and Marcus did it perfectly. obviously strikers, wingers, they want to score goals, they need to score goals, that’s part of their game and it gives you a boost.
“After the penalty, Marcus was unstoppable – he could take on everyone. I think sometimes you need this chance, this opportunity to get confidence back. But Marcus has been great for us.
“Obviously last season he was amazing, so everyone’s expectations for this season were higher. It’s just about getting his goals back and everyone will stay saying that he is world-class again.”
Rashford will have to sit out Manchester United’s next game against Galatasaray in the Champions League due to suspension after being sent off last time out against Copenhagen. The forward could therefore return to action on Saturday against Newcsatle in the Premier League.