Marcus Rashford focus: How did young Manchester United ace fare against Watford?

Manchester United 1 Watford 0

Marcus Rashford against Watford (Getty)

Marcus Rashford went into Manchester United's Barclays Premier League home clash against Watford looking to build on the stunning start he had made to life as a first-team player.

The 18-year-old forward was once again in the starting line-up after netting four times during his first two senior appearances over the past week.

Here, Press Association Sport assesses how Rashford fared as United beat the Hornets 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Goal threat

Although the fit-again Anthony Martial had come back into the team, it was Rashford still occupying the centre-forward slot in the United attack as the game began. The first half saw the hosts spend much of the time trying to keep Watford at bay, and the teenager was unable to make much of an impression at all. Centre-backs Miguel Britos and Sebastian Prodl did a decent job of marshalling him and he did not manage to fashion a shot on Heurelho Gomes' goal over the course of the entire 45 minutes.

Link-up play

At the start of the second half it became apparent Rashford had swapped positions with Martial, moving out to the right side, and like the whole United team, he proved much more effective from thereon.

Having made a vital clearance off the line soon after the restart, Rashford began causing considerable problems for the Watford defence, frequently bursting into the box and delivering one particularly decent low cross into the danger zone that Memphis Depay could not finish off from close range.

Overall

While he did not add to his goal tally on this occasion, Rashford once again looked a hugely exciting young talent, playing a key role as United came to life in the second half.

PA.