Marcus Rashford: Manchester United striker is one of many to enjoy dream Old Trafford debut

For evry Wayne Rooney, there's a Federico Macheda

Friday 26 February 2016 10:31 GMT
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Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford (Getty Images)

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Eighteen-year-old Marcus Rashford scored twice on his Manchester United debut to earn them a 5-1 Europa League win over FC Midtjylland at Old Trafford, having only been called into the starting line-up shortly before kick-off when Anthony Martial picked up an injury.

Here, we take a look at four other strikers who have enjoyed dream debuts for the Red Devils.

Wayne Rooney

The teenager signed from Everton guaranteed himself instant hero status with a hat-trick in a 6-2 win over Fenerbahce in the Champions League in September 2004, becoming the youngest player to score a treble in the competition aged 18 years and 335 days. He scored his first two with smart strikes in the opening half-hour and added his third with a fine free-kick early in the second half.

Federico Macheda

The Italian, aged 17, came off the bench in a Premier League clash with Aston Villa in April 2009 and scored a brilliant last-gasp winner to earn the hosts a 3-2 win, turning on the edge of the area and curling home an unstoppable shot. However, it was not a sign of things to come as Macheda had a host of loan spells before leaving permanently for Cardiff in 2014.

James Wilson

Wilson scored twice in a 3-1 win at home to Hull in May 2014, netting with a near-post half-volley and then following up to score after a Marouane Fellaini shot. He joined Brighton on loan until the end of the season in November.

Anthony Martial

The Frenchman, signed from Monaco for a world-record fee for a teenager, hit the ground running, coming off the bench to score in a 3-1 home win over Liverpool. Introduced as a second-half substitute, the 19-year-old scored a superb individual goal in the 86th minute, weaving between Liverpool defenders before shooting home in front of the Stretford End.

PA

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