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Marcus Rashford applauds their fans after the match Manchester United v Arsenal - Barclays Premier League - Old Trafford on February 28.He is being followed around by news crews, is reportedly on the verge of a 10-fold pay rise, and currently is the most talked-about player in English football.
The life of 18-year-old Marcus Rashford has certainly changed since the striker shot to stardom by scoring four goals in his first two games for Manchester United over the past week.
And the man who set Marcus on track to be a football player is sure the youngster is "mortified" by the attention. "Marcus is a very, very shy boy. He has more confidence on the pitch than off it," said David Horrocks, the club development officer and skills coach at Fletcher Moss Rangers in south Manchester.
"He's not a flamboyant sort of bloke. He lets his feet do the showing-off."
That’s certainly been the case.
Called up for his senior United debut as a late injury replacement, Marcus scored two goals against FC Midtjylland on Thursday to help the team qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League. Then, on Sunday and again at Old Trafford, he kept his place in the team and scored twice in three minutes to lead United to a 3-2 win over title-chasing Arsenal in the Premier League.
Marcus celebrates after he scores the opening goal of the game during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford Stadium.
Photo: Associated Press
Not bad for a youngster who hadn't previously even started a game higher than under-19 level before last week.
Out of nowhere, English football has a new sensation. And United manager Louis van Gaal is pleading for Marcus to be left "in peace" amid reports in the British media that his salary could soon rise to HK$162,764 a week!
"When you are in front of his house and that kind of stuff, I don't think it's beneficial for a boy of 18 years old. Give him the time to be 18. And we shall guide him in this way," Van Gaal said on Tuesday.
"He is a very modest guy, so I don't think that shall be the problem ... I believe he shall keep his feet on the ground."
Horrocks can attest to that.
He can remember Marcus dribbling a football through the streets of south Manchester on his way to way to training with Fletcher Moss, where he played from the ages of five to eight before joining United. Rashford's brother, Dwayne, was playing for one of the Fletcher Moss teams and asked if his younger sibling could come along.
"Marcus was a boy who all he wanted to do was play football,” Horrocks said. "I know he's a big Red [Man United fan] but it would have made no difference if he was playing for Man City, Man United, Liverpool or Everton. He just wanted to play football.
"I wouldn't mind betting now that wherever he is, he’s got a football at his feet, juggling it around."
That shows in the way he plays. Marcus is a striker who drops deep and likes to get involved in play. He’ll come to find the ball.
"He’s hungry for the ball," Horrocks said.
So, what next for Marcus? Quite possibly another start for United, against Watford in the Premier League today. Van Gaal must decide whether to keep the teenager in the team even though Anthony Martial, United's big-money signing in the summer transfer window, has returned to fitness.
United playmaker Juan Mata has, however, said that Marcus is undroppable at the moment and even compared him to Martial, a pacey France international who himself has been widely compared to Thierry Henry.
"They're both quick and go against the defenders, they both have goals in their pocket,” Mata said. “It’s not about comparing, it’s about taking profit of them.”
Marcus was back in the classroom on Monday, taking a chemistry exam as part of his studies in the United academy. Horrocks says Marcus has a good academic background that he could fall back on.
The way he’s started his football career, that probably won't be necessary.
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