Nikolay Bodurov’s own goal reduced the deficit before Rashford, who only started after Anthony Martial was injured in the warm-up, struck twice.
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The night, though, belonged to Rashford.
Of course, these are early days for Rashford and there are plenty of examples of where great starts to careers at United didn’t come to fruition.
The Manchester-born youngster’s fearless performance pushed United into the last 16 of the Europa League with a 5-1 win and eased the pressure on its embattled Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.
Rashford has been playing in the club’s youth ranks, and was top scorer for the Under-18 side last season, while he has also represented United’s reserves.
In the 63rd minute, Marcus Rashford, who was making his United debut scored to make it 3-3 on aggregate. It was the stuff of dreams, and all from a player whose subconscious last night could not have even predicted a starting appearance.
After the game, Van Gaal praised Martial for admitting that he did not feel fit to play.
Midtjylland boss Jess Thorup said his debut was “almost perfect”, but Van Gaal was keen not to get carried away.
Still, Midtjylland was there for the taking, with its whole backline seemingly petrified whenever the ball came near them. Much of its defending was last-ditch and Depay was rampant down United’s left.
“I’ve said already a lot of times, that’s fantastic for him, but you have to be consistent”, said the United manager.
The likes of Wes Brown, Danny Welbeck and Ravel Morrison all represented the team in their junior years, while current United team-mates Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Tyler Blackett are also ex-Fletcher Moss players.
At the edge of 63rd minute, Midtjylland were holding 3-2 aggregate lead, when Juan Mata chased the cross, pulled one for Rashford to slam it home! But his predatory close-range finishes for his second-half double showed a goalscorer’s instinct.
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And United were punished shortly after as the visitors, with their first attack, stunned Old Trafford with a goal on the break, with Sisto rounding Daley Blind and Carrick before drilling a low effort past Sergio Romero just before the half-hour.
