United boss praises Rashford

Manchester United rolled back the years of scoring late goals after securing a crucial three points in the last minute to keep their top-four dreams alive.
Herma Prinsloo
SuperSport

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick hailed Marcus Rashford as "one of the top strikers in England" after the substitute scored a stoppage-time winner against West Ham United on Saturday.

It was Rashford's second goal in as many games.

"Marcus is one of the top strikers in England and has everything you need for a modern forward – pace, skills, size and physicality," said Rangnick.

"In the end it is all about confidence and I am pretty sure those two goals will have raised his confidence. It's now about him taking the right steps and continuing. I think he will play an important role for the rest of the season."

The 24-year-old Rashford finished off a slick team move with the last play of the game, tapping home from Edinson Cavani's low cross.

The 1-0 win gave the Man United 38 points from 22 games, which puts them right back into competition of the UEFA champions league.

Asked if "Fergie Time" was now "Ralfie Time", Rangnick added: "I don't know how long 'Fergie Time' was. Was that the last five minutes? I wouldn't mind if that happened.

"But we would also like to have more games like Brentford when we were 3-0 up. But if you score in the last seconds the big advantage is there is no time for the team to reply."

United next host Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup on February 4.

Pep Guardiola backed Manchester City to hold their nerve after the Premier League leaders' 12-game winning run came to an end as Aymeric Laporte rescued a 1-1 draw against Southampton on Saturday.

City were rocked by Kyle Walker-Peters's first ever top-flight goal in the opening minutes at St Mary's.

After a poor first half by their high standards, Guardiola's side kicked into gear after the break.

Spain defender Laporte headed the equaliser, but City could not extend their winning streak in a one-sided finale that saw the visitors lay seige to the Southampton goal.

The champions had to settle for a result that left them 12 points clear of second-placed Liverpool, who have two games in hand and face Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"Today we showed the same consistency we have been showing. If people saw in the game that we were lazy or arrogant or trying not to win the game – it was completely the opposite," Guardiola said.

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Namibian Sun 2024-04-19

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