Marcus Rashford - signed on loan (injured - out for season?)

[PaulWinch again]

I can only assume he was shattered, because he terrified PSG. Sign him.

[Dave]

Feels like the sort of match which might push us to do what is necessary to make the finances work.

[PaulWinch again]

Indeed - he showed on that stage that he can terrify any opposition. We need that quality.

[Somniloquism]

He was poor for most of the first half. Didn't have any control or hold-up play. He ran and chased down but not much until Tielemans goal where he did a 1-2 and then dragged the defender away and into the position for the deflection. Second half though and he was tremendous but so were most of them.

[PaulWinch again]

They were, but he and SJM were different level. For that 20 mins PSG were utterly terrified of him. That is a level we need to keep.

[Toronto Villa]

Massive game at the weekend so I can only imagine along with being tired Emery has an eye on making sure we have the best side available to play Newcastle.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

such a shame Emery doesn't see him and Watkins in the same team. Rash wants to play in that channel when he starts on his own he's drifting left.

[Keeno]

My theory on this is that Emery sees him as his number 9 long term and given he's 2 years younger than Watkins, wants to develop him in the same way. As a result I wouldn't be surprised to see us cash in on one to sign the other (if possible) this summer.

I do think Rashford has a level of indivual, unique, truly 'world class' talent that Watkins simply doesn't have, despite him probably being 'more effective' in 80-90% of situations in game and of course a fantastic player. Demonstrated by that assist he provided last night when he ghosted round Vitinha and Marquinhos and had the presence of mind to put an inch-perfect pass on a plate for Konsa.

I think a player like Rashford also evolves us as an attacking threat that looks more like the PSG front three last night: think a mobile, interchanging four of Ramsey, Rogers, Rashford and Malen. We have definitely tried to be a more 'open' team this season tactically (for better and for worse at times - think Ipswich away!) and play more man-for-man football both in and out of possession - his ability to beat players in space fits that idea really well.

We are assembling a group of players especially in attacking areas (but also players like Tielemans and Onana with his physicality) who have the ability to 'win' situations 1v1 - Rogers and JJ's power running, Malen's pure pace, Rashford or Asensio's dribbling skill.

It's riskier, but if we get that idea right, we can play at a level like last night, where I don't think it'd be out of the question to say could be title-challenging level if we can be consistent.

[LeeB]

My theory on this is that Emery sees him as his number 9 long term and given he's 2 years younger than Watkins, wants to develop him in the same way. As a result I wouldn't be surprised to see us cash in on one to sign the other (if possible) this summer.

I do think Rashford has a level of indivual, unique, truly 'world class' talent that Watkins simply doesn't have, despite him probably being 'more effective' in 80-90% of situations in game and of course a fantastic player. Demonstrated by that assist he provided last night when he ghosted round Vitinha and Marquinhos and had the presence of mind to put an inch-perfect pass on a plate for Konsa.

I think a player like Rashford also evolves us as an attacking threat that looks more like the PSG front three last night: think a mobile, interchanging four of Ramsey, Rogers, Rashford and Malen. We have definitely tried to be a more 'open' team this season tactically (for better and for worse at times - think Ipswich away!) and play more man-for-man football both in and out of possession - his ability to beat players in space fits that idea really well.

We are assembling a group of players especially in attacking areas (but also players like Tielemans and Onana with his physicality) who have the ability to 'win' situations 1v1 - Rogers and JJ's power running, Malen's pure pace, Rashford or Asensio's dribbling skill.

It's riskier, but if we get that idea right, we can play at a level like last night, where I don't think it'd be out of the question to say could be title-challenging level if we can be consistent.

Excellent post, I agree with all of it.

[Rigadon]

Yep, agreed.  We are a couple, maybe just one (a world class centre half) off from being genuine contenders.  This is why we absolutely have to qualify for the CL next year so that we can keep the players we have and sign that missing piece.   

[Tuscans]

🚨 Marcus Rashford has ‘never been happier’ during his loan spell at Aston Villa. A source close to the striker says he's benefitted from a change of scenery & from Unai Emery’s man-management.

[Keeno]

Yep, agreed.  We are a couple, maybe just one (a world class centre half) off from being genuine contenders.  This is why we absolutely have to qualify for the CL next year so that we can keep the players we have and sign that missing piece.   

For me it's probably the full backs - Konsa and Torres were outstanding last night IMO. But the difference in Mendes/Hakimi to Cash/Digne, as much as I love them, was quite apparent. I think Maatsen with time could get to that level, his ceiling is very high, but it's the same idea - we need our fullbacks to be able to 'win' 1v1, both in and out of possession. An elite RB probably is the main upgrade for that.

[Rigadon]

As good as Cash was last night, I’d probably agree RB is the ‘other’ position.

[Drummond]

I'd rather have Rashford than Duran. I'd love to see him play with Watkins, though it's difficult to play with two up top.

Perhaps....

               Martinez
Cash  Konsa     Torres   Digne
         Kamara    Onana
         Rogers      Tielemans
        Watkins      Rashford

There are enough smarts in that team to stretch and swap opponents about. It requires a lot of the full backs, so potentially Garcia and Maatsen with their pace would be better.

[UK Redsox]

All this is a bit different to figuring out how to get the best out of Ross McCormack and Rudy Gestede