How Senior Man Utd Players Reacted After Seeing Rashford For First Time In Training
Juan Mata and Ander Herrera during training Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Marcus Rashford, following the departure of Romelu Lukaku, has establised himself as Man Utd’s talisman with 14 goals in just 22 Premier League appearances this season.
The youngster broke into the United starting XI under Louis van Gaal and became an instant fan favorite after scoring four goals in his first two matches. However, he managed to impress some senior Man Utd players even before making his official debut.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Juan Mata, who named the English forward as the biggest talent he has seen come through club’s academy, revealed how Rashford caught the eye of Ander Herrera in his very first training session.
“Obviously the first one who comes to my mind is Marcus, Marcus Rashford,” Mata said.
“Everyone knows that he is a special player and I have to admit that in the first training that he did with us in the first team, it was Louis van Gaal that was our manager, and after the training, we did a little game and he was playing on the right side, and, after everything finished, Ander Herrera came to me and said: ‘Do you see this player? How good he is? He will be a player for us.’
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring Man Utd’s second goal Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
“He realised straightaway. After one training session, Ander knew that this guy was something special and obviously, of course after that, he was very determined since the first moment he played with us, scoring very quickly, many goals and, of course, for his country also.
“I think he is probably the most special player that has come through in my time here, through the academy.”
