Rashford: United would have 'liked to play better' in Omonia victory

By Sports Desk October 06, 2022

Marcus Rashford says Manchester United would "have liked to have played better" as they came from behind to win 3-2 at Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League.

United went into the break a goal down after Karim Ansarifard put the Cypriot side ahead, but Erik ten Hag's introduction of Marcus Rashford changed the game as he scored a double and assisted Anthony Martial to put the Red Devils 3-1 up and become the first United substitute to score and assist after coming on in the Europa League.

Despite conceding again to make it 3-2, United held on to make it six wins from their last seven Europa League away games and leave them second in Group E, three points behind leaders Real Sociedad.

Rashford felt his side did not play at their full capabilities against Omonia, telling BT Sport: "Yeah, it's definitely job done, but we'd have liked to have played better.

"I wouldn't say we defended bad, I think it was just mistakes and mistakes happen in football, so we have to move on. The fewer mistakes we can make, the better.

"The first 45 minutes, until they scored, we played well, we had good movement, but we probably could have got in behind them a bit more to be a bigger threat on the ball. I thought we played well, watching the first half.

"When he [Ten Hag] made the subs, he wanted us to be more dynamic, take our chances going forward and to try score goals. When you're 1-0 behind, that's what you need to do, so it was positive changes at half-time."

Fellow substitute Martial also impressed, scoring in consecutive matches as a substitute for United for the first time since August 2017.

He has now been directly involved in four goals (three goals, one assist) in his three appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions this season, and Rashford praised his impact, adding: "He is a massive player for us, has been for a long time.

"When he is happy and at it he is an unbelievable player. I've always enjoyed playing with him. It was nice to link up with him today.

"We've both been injured, him longer than me, so it is good for him to get minutes and make an impact."

Related items

  • Sancho given fresh start with Chelsea loan move Sancho given fresh start with Chelsea loan move

    Jadon Sancho has secured a move away from Manchester United, having joined Chelsea on Deadline Day on a season-long loan.

    The deal includes an obligation to buy for between £20-£25 million at the end of the loan, according to widespread reports, meaning that the 24-year-old will not be returning to Old Trafford next summer.

    Work to complete the transfer came late on Deadline Day, with a deal sheet being submitted to ensure the signing could go through after the 11pm deadline.

    Chelsea were able to get the deal over the line, confirming the move was complete on Saturday evening. 

    "I’m really excited to be here," Sancho said. "London is where I grew up and I’m happy to be back.

    "The manager spoke to me about the project and, for a young player, it's exciting. Hopefully I can bring goals and assists to the Bridge."

    It brings an end to a three-year spell at Old Trafford for Sancho. The winger originally joined United on a five-year contract in 2021 but, following a public falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, found his first-team opportunities limited.

    Sancho made 83 appearances in all competitions for United, but his last start for the club came against Manchester City in the 2023 FA Cup final. He made three substitute appearances in August 2023 before moving back to Dortmund on loan in January, where he scored three goals in 21 appearances.

    His final outing in a United shirt came off the bench in their Community Shield defeat to Manchester City, but he was not included in the squad for the first two league games.

    Sancho joins a club with plenty of competition for attacking places, with Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke among their roster.

    Chelsea did also manage to move some players on during Deadline Day. Raheem Sterling secured a loan move to Arsenal on Deadline Day, while Trevoh Chalobah joined Crystal Palace, Armando Broja moved to Everton and Djordje Petrovic was loaned by Strasbourg.

  • Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life after Toney with comfortable win Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life after Toney with comfortable win

    Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.

    Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.

    With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.

    Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.

    Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.

    Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home

    Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.

    Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.

  • Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life without Toney with comfortable win Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life without Toney with comfortable win

    Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.

    Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.

    With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.

    Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.

    Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.

    Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home

    Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.

    Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.