KEY POINTS

  • Marcus Rashford helped Manchester United beat RB Leipzig 5-0
  • Rashford scored Man Utd's first hat-trick in UCL since Robin Van Persie in 2014
  • Rashford had also scored Man Utd's winner vs PSG in their UCL opener

Marcus Rashford, who netted a hat-trick during Manchester United’s 5-0 win over RB Leipzig in their Champions League meeting revealed what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted him to do after coming off the bench in the second half.

Rashford took only 18 minutes to become the sixth Manchester United player to record a hat-trick in a Champions League fixture, and first since Robin Van Persie, back in 2014. On Wednesday at Old Trafford, Solskjaer started Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood ahead of Rashford and it was the 19-year-old Greenwood who gave The Red Devils a 1-0 lead with his 21st-minute strike.

The next three goals came only in the second half, courtesy of Rashford’s hat-trick. His introduction brought fresh legs to Man Utd’s attack – that’s exactly what Solskjaer wanted.

"I think the manager wanted me to up the tempo. That for us means going forward. There were definitely spaces there. We got Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pog ba on the ball. We looked dangerous throughout and that we could score every time we went forward. It was a real team performance. The ones who started did well and the substitutes did well too. We can't ask for much more than that in terms of the attitude and the intent to go and kill the game off. It worked in our favor," Rashford said at a post-match interview.

Solskjaer’s side has had a brilliant start to their 2020-21 Champions League campaign, having won their opening encounter too, which was a 1-2 win over hosts Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Rashford was once again influential in the game at the Parc des Princes as he scored the winner just before 90 minutes.

Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring his third goal and Manchester United's fifth in their big win over RB Leipzig
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring his third goal and Manchester United's fifth in their big win over RB Leipzig AFP / Anthony Devlin

Meanwhile, Man Utd have not fared as well in the Premier League, where the Old Trafford club is placed 15th in the points table, but have played fewer games than many of the other clubs. Solskjaer’s side dropped points in their previous league fixture, which was against Chelsea. Man Utd were held at a 0-0 draw by Frank Lampard’s men at Old Trafford last week. Man Utd will look to return to winning ways when they host Arsenal in the Premier League Sunday.

RELATED STORIES
Soccer