**BREAKING NEWS:** Live from Old Trafford, Manchester United legend Andy Cole wasted no time in praising a United star after an electrifying performance against Real Betis. During their pre-season USA tour, the player played a crucial role in helping the team secure a 3-2 victory. Cole remarked, “He’s the real deal. This is just pre-season, and he’s playing like this—just imagine him in the Premier League. He was on fire yesterday. Watching his finishing, we were commenting on how well he hits the ball. He just needs to carry that into the game. We all know he’s got talent in abundance, and we want to see him smiling again.” Cole was clearly impressed, stating that the star’s training performances left him “blown away.”
Manchester United has been focusing on improving the performance of their top stars, particularly Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United has been focusing on improving the performance of their top stars, particularly Marcus Rashford.
Rashford started meeting these expectations with his best pre-season showing in the 3-2 victory over Real Betis.
He played for over an hour before being subbed off due to a late tackle but appeared in good spirits after the game. Getting Rashford back to peak form is a priority for Erik ten Hag, and scoring goals, even from penalties, can help boost his confidence.
### Marcus Rashford’s Return to Form
In previous seasons, Rashford has faced criticism for his body language, often appearing to lack confidence or determination. United expert Andy Mitten noted earlier this week that he has heard positive feedback about Rashford this pre-season, something he hasn’t heard since 2022. MUTV pundit Danny Webber also provided an account of Rashford’s impressive form during a training session on the USA tour.
Webber said, “He was on fire yesterday. Watching his finishing, we commented on how effortlessly he hits the ball with little backlift. His one-on-one situations were impressive, beating opponents with ease. This comes from a strong mentality, the desire to succeed, and being prepared to make mistakes, which ultimately leads to success. He just needs to bring that into the games. We all know he has immense talent, and we want to see him smiling again.”
### Praise from Teammates
Harry Amass, a 17-year-old who played alongside Rashford against Real Betis, described him as ‘unbelievable’ in a post-game interview. Amass, who aims to deputize for Luke Shaw this season amid uncertainties around Tyrell Malacia, enjoyed the chance to play with Rashford. However, with Rashford possibly being rested as a precaution against Liverpool, Amass may team up with a different player on the left side.