MAN OF THE MATCH: MARCUS RASHFORD
Marcus Rashford returned to the Manchester United starting line-up in style on Saturday afternoon, scoring twice inside the first 25 minutes to set his side up for an eventual 2-1 win over arch-rivals Liverpool.
The 20-year-old striker was subsequently crowned Man of the Match by United fans on Twitter, after receiving a massive 81 per cent of the votes. Two team-mates who helped to keep the visitors' lively attack at bay, left-back Ashley Young (16 per cent) and centre-back Chris Smalling (3 per cent), were also nominated.
Reflecting on the victory, Rashford told Sky Sports: "These games are always big games. It's going to be tight for second position and we want to make sure we get that spot so it was an important win today."
When asked about his recent run of not being selected for the first XI, the youngster said: "I think it's partly about being patient but that's football.
"You have to be ready when your chance comes. The whole team have been working hard, every day in training, so when moments like this happen, it's not a surprise."
United's first goal was netted with a ferocious shot across Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius from the left-hand side of the box but Marcus was modest about the lead-up to his amazing finish.
"I think my first touch was a bad touch, I couldn't finish it in my stride so I had to revive it, recover it with my second touch and the rest of it was quite simple," said Rashford.
"Scoring the first goal gave me the confidence to do more and for the second one, the ball fell to me and I just put it in as well. With the confidence I was feeling throughout the game, I was sure it was going to go in so I just took my time."
After his two additions to the scoresheet, Rashford's name entered the notebook of referee Craig Pawson for an exuberant but late challenge on Liverpool midfielder James Milner, and he admitted that his manager Jose Mourinho warned him during the interval to calm down.
"I think I had to do it myself a little bit in the first half," added Marcus. "It was one of those moments where I had to try to relax and just play the game."
Although Rashford was later substituted to remove the risk of a red card, it was still a brilliant performance from the Mancunian and he was pleased to learn that England manager Gareth Southgate had been in the Old Trafford stands to witness it with the World Cup finals now just four months away.
"I didn't know he was here," said United's match-winner. "It's nice that he was there to watch but there's a lot of players in contention and it's good that he's watching everyone."
www.manutd.com