Remember a familiar double act that used to light up Old Trafford becoming the most feared partnership in the English game? A partnership that propelled Manchester United to the pinnacle of English football. Two names that struck fear into opposition defences even before a ball had been kicked. Yes, you probably guessed it, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke.
It seems an age since both players graced the Old Trafford faithful, and how Manchester United need a similar spark right now as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plans to take the club back to where it belongs. A potential strike partnership involving two of their brightest attacking talents, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford could well be on the offing, a partnership that could take United to a trip down memory lane.
Against Norwich, in their 3-1 triumph at Carrow Road, Rashford and Martial were at their sparkling best especially the third goal scored by Martial, the interchanging, exquisite passing and movement tore apart Norwich’s hapless defence. It was simply mesmerising.
Who says they can’t form a formidable partnership up-front just like Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole once did? For much of the season, Marcus Rashford has been tasked with leading the line on his own. Though, its clear Marcus Rashford enjoys playing with a partner, just like he does so well for England with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. It is through Kane that Rashford effectively link-up play with and because of his intelligence in positioning and the awareness of movement, it makes it easy for Rashford to become so dangerous for his country.
Coming in off the left is where Marcus Rashford is at his best. At Carrow Road, we saw Rashford at his destructive best running down the left beating his opponents at will, forming an incredible understanding with Martial with their incisive one touch football and mesmeric movement. The lack of options in attack has forced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s hand so far this season pinning all his hopes on a player who really doesn’t seem comfortable playing as a lone frontman. With Anthony Martial back and firing on all cylinders, much of the burden will be shared and that’s what Rashford needs.
It certainly would have been ideal to have both Sanchez and Lukaku as additional options but what’s the point of having unhappy players in the dressing room? Players who longer wanted to be a part of the project. It’s only right Solskjaer cut his losses.
It is fair to say the injuries to players such as Martial, Lingard and Paul Pogba haven’t helped, but Martial’s return brings a much a needed dimension to an otherwise stale attack. The understanding and brilliance conjured up with Rashford against Norwich is certainly something to build on moving forward. It is imperative Solskjaer keeps both players fit as the season progresses.
Against Liverpool, Solskjaer sprung a tactical surprise, a formula which in the long-term could become a solution to his attacking issues. The 3-4-1-2 formation gave United solidity within defence and midfield along with the opportunity to counter efficiently and quickly with Marcus Rashford and Daniel James playing as the split strikers – attacking players who broke quickly using the wings – either side of Andreas Pereira who played effectively as the teams main creative outlet on the ball. He reverted back to the 4-2-3-1 against Norwich formation, but the change in set-up showed the Norwegian’s tactical flexibility and his ability to adapt and counter his opponents threats.
Below is the system Solskjaer used against Liverpool at Old Trafford:
The change in system worked simply because it brought the best out of the players that Solskjaer had at his disposal and allowed him to fully neutralise Liverpool’s attacking threat. United showed great fight, spirit and organisation that they so regularly lack. Rashford’s goal against Liverpool was the result of United’s efficiency on the counter-attack, with Daniel James picking up the ball from McTominay and expertly beating his marker to play a fine cross for Marcus Rashford score. United may not have enjoyed the fair share of possession but they were still effective and dangerous when on the counter. It was the same story against Norwich, Daniel James crossing from the right into space and perfectly onto Rashford’s sumptuous first touch, he then exquisitely finished through the legs of Tim Krul to put United 2-0 up.
It’s been a recurring theme of United not looking comfortable in possession struggling to break teams down. Their approach play looking laboured and lacking any inventiveness though it remarkably changed at Carrow Road. It was another fine example as to how important Anthony Martial has been to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer:
As well as looking threatening on the counter, the presence of the French forward gave United much movement and freedom in attack. Most importantly, a needed presence to engage Norwich’s centre-backs, it gave Daniel James and Marcus Rashford the opportunity to effectively fill those spots in between the centre-backs and the full-backs creating uncertainty in Norwich’s frail defensive unit.
Against an admittedly open Norwich team, United scored more goals than they had managed on all their previous away days this season combined. It was simply down to the partnership of Martial and Rashford and one that Solskjaer promised ‘will grow’ in future. With Paul Pogba out until December, much of the onus will be on Martial and Rashford to provide United with the creative spark they need.
There is a greater need for much improvement and emphasis on United’s attacking play but the victory over Norwich highlighted the exciting potential Solskjaer possesses in his arsenal, with the return to fitness of Anthony Martial, United fans may just have the strike partnership they have been seeking for quite a long while.
Solskjaer could well just have his own ‘Yorke & Cole’.
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