‘Form of his life’ - Roy Keane explains what has changed for Marcus Rashford at Man Utd

Roy Keane has praised Marcus Rashford and claimed he’s in the ‘form of his life’ after Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

The attacker netted the Red Devils’ first after just six minutes, to continue his excellent scoring streak of 10 goals in 10 games since the World Cup. Rashford was superb once again as United took a commanding lead back from the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at the City Ground, with Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes also on the scoresheet.

But it was Rashford who impressed Keane and others on Wednesday, with the former United skipper lauding the 25-year-old after the game. “He’s in the form of his life. He’s doing what he wants,” the Irishman said during Sky Sports’ post-match coverage.

“We can criticise Forest defenders all day but Marcus is going where he wants to go. Once he gets in this position, as soon as he got 60 yards from goal you think there is trouble - someone has to get to him, make a tackle.”

Keane was asked, in his view, what has changed for Rashford this season compared to last term, and the ex-midfielder said United’s no.10 is growing in stature as he takes on more responsibility, while he also highlighted Rashford’s improved physique.

“That [development] comes with confidence. What is Marcus, 25 years of age? This is where he’s peaking,” said Keane.

“He’s played a lot of games for United, big games for England. Sometimes the penny drops for a player in terms of his decision making and putting the ball in the back of the net. They’ve needed him.

“This has been the question mark I’ve had over Marcus in the last few years: has he got that personality to step up to the plate? United have had some great strikers over the years: [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, Mark Hughes - the list goes on. Man United need someone like that and I hope Marcus is saying he wants the responsibility to be the main man. Stick your chest out.

“The last few years was like ‘can he really do it? He just does it now and again’. But the biggest players turn up week in, week out. Marcus now looks like he’s enjoying that responsibility, which is great to see.

“We were pitchside and you look at Marcus coming out and he looks lean,” Keane added. “You wouldn’t want to be up against him. If you’re a full-back and he’s running at you, all the best. You have to get people in and around you.

“He doesn’t seem to have any niggles anymore, whereas the last few years, he’d miss two games with a groin and niggly injuries. He seems to have cleared all that up. He’s playing with a lot of confidence and I think he’s in a good place mentally as well, which is huge.

“He has spoken about it many times before, he reckons he maybe took on a bit too much away from football. Being a top footballer is hard enough. Sometimes you have to say ‘put that stuff on the backburner and focus on being a really top player for Manchester United’.”