Manchester United Star Is A Goal Away From Equaling Bobby Charlton’s 56-Year-Old Record [Watch]

Marcus Rashford is closing in on Manchester United great Bobby Charlton’s 56-year-old record in European soccer after scoring in the Red Devils’ 4-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League Thursday.

After Bruno Fernandes put Manchester United 2-0 up within 60 minutes, Rashford netted his side’s third goal in the first leg of their Round of 32 clash with Real Sociedad. The final goal was scored by Red Devils’ young midfielder Daniel James just before full-time.

Overall, in the 2020-21 campaign, Rashford has provided 11 assists and scored 17 goals, including seven in Europe. The goal against Real Sociedad was Rashford’s seventh goal in Europe this season. He had struck six in the Champions League before Manchester United was demoted to Europa League.

With seven goals in Europe this season, the 23-year-old forward has emulated former Manchester United great Charlton, who was the last English player to achieve that feat in the Red Devils jersey, according to Opta Joe. The former World Cup winner Charlton had recorded eight goals in Manchester United’s 1964-65 campaign in Europe. Rashford will aim at equaling Charlton’s record when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side takes on Sociedad in their Round of 32’s return leg in the Europa League.

Only Borrusia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland has outscored Rashford in Europe this term – netting eight goals, including a brace in the German outfit’s Last-16 clash win over Seville in the Champions League Wednesday.

Manchester United’s previous game in Europe was their 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig in an away fixture that saw Solskjaer’s side drop down to Europa League’s Round of 32. Following the Old Trafford’s side 4-0 win at the Juventus Stadium, the Norwegian boss hailed his side, saying his side has returned to their best form.

"We spoke about it before the game that we need to be back to ourselves. Not more direct but attack quicker, see where there is a chance and we knew it was an away game, even if it was at a neutral venue, we knew the goals were going to count more for us. So why not take a risk, go forward, risk some balls in behind? We knew they would have a high line and not have the same pace as Marcus and Dan so we targeted those spaces," Solskjaer told Manchester United’s official website in a post-match interview.

Solskjaer also added that it was about "finding ourselves, being positive, having the courage, and running until you have to come off."