Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compared Marcus Rashford’s free-kick that led to Romelu Lukaku’s opener against Newcastle United to the technique perfected by Cristiano Ronaldo, with the interim manager hinting at the England striker following in the footsteps of a past Manchester United great.
It was Rashford’s ‘knuckleball’ style free-kick that caused Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to spill the ball straight into the path of substitute striker Lukaku, who for the second game in succession scored within two minutes of coming onto the field.
Since Jose Mourinho’s sacking, Rashford has been trusted to lead the attacking line by Solskjaer, with the England international deployed in a central role and returning three goals in four games
Solskjaer has been keen to talk up his players in an effort to rebuild their confidence, and Rashford has been one of those regularly singled out for praise after helping United to victory in all four of their Premier League games under the Norwegian so far.
Yet it was his free-kick technique that interested Solskjaer the most in the wake of the 2-0 victory at St James’ Park, given that it echoed shades of Ronaldo scoring goals with sublime set-pieces during his time at Old Trafford.
“I can talk about loads of individuals but when you’re a striker like he is, scores such a great goal like today, calm, composed, just passes it past the goalkeeper,” Solskjaer said after the victory that leaves United just three points off fifth-placed Arsenal.
“But then his free-kicks, that was, of course, the start against Cardiff and then he does it again, he’s got a great hit.
“He must have been watching Cristiano when he was practicing.”