Marcus Rashford had an impact on Manchester United game as they sealed an automatic Europa League group place by beating Bournemouth 3-1 in their rescheduled last Premier League game of the season. Both sides met at a sparsely populated Old Trafford after Sunday’s match was canceled after a bomb alarm. Wayne Rooney put Man Utd ahead with a right footed shot just before break, which was assisted by Anthony Martial. Then Rashford doubled the lead in 74th-minute with the help of Antonio Valencia.
Rooney created third for Man Utd which was converted by Ashley Young with three minutes from the time. Just seconds before the final whistle, Chris Smalling scored an own goal on Max Gradel’s shot as Louis van Gaal’s side finished fifth. The victory in the last game took Man Utd above Southampton, who will participate in the qualifying stage of Europa League next season. Now the Red Devils have their eyes on the FA Cup final which they will play against Crystal Palace on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
Van Gaal, who still have an insecure future at club, is intending to guide Man Utd to their first major trophy since the Premier League title under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. A lot of consideration was centered on Man Utd striker Rashford after the 18-year-old was a surprise inclusion in England’s preliminary 26-man squad for Euro 2016. The youngster was mostly unidentified for the majority of the first half, overseeing only 12 touches as he was famished of service.
However, the match’s first snippet of value came when Rashford again failed to touch the ball – a sublime dummy for Rooney’s opener, his 100th goal at Old Trafford. The youngster demonstrated fully developed consciousness to leave Anthony Martial’s pass, after the France international’s flawless one-two with Juan Mata, for his captain to put in from close range. Rashford looked energetic when the teams came back after the break, his sharp effort and ebullient ability giving Man Utd happiest moments.
