Marcus Rashford could have ended up at Crewe Alexandra last season… now he is an England Euro 2016 star
Relegated League 1 side tried to sign young striker on loan a week before he was handed his Manchester United debut
MARCUS RASHFORD is the name on every Manchester United fans’ lips, but things could have turned out very differently for the youngster last season.
Rashford bagged a brace on his debut against FC Midtjylland in February after being drafted in at the last minute to replace injured Anthony Martial, and the 18-year-old hasn’t looked back since.
Going on to establish himself as Louis van Gaal’s first-choice striker, Rashford ended the season with eight goals in 18 appearances as well as the FA Cup.
The United youth product was also a shock selection in Roy Hodgson’s 23-man squad for Euro 2016 and became the youngest-ever player to score on his England debut with a goal in the 2-1 friendly win over Australia last month.
Rashford has since signed a new long-term contract after Jose Mourinho took charge at Old Trafford, and the future looks bright for United’s new favourite son.
However, Rashford would still be a complete unknown in the club’s system had it not been for Under-21s coach Warren Joyce.
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Strugglers Crewe Alexandra, who suffered relegation from League One, have confirmed that Joyce rejected a loan approach for Rashford just a week before he made his United bow in the Europa League.
The Alex were informed that Rashford was a vital member of United’s Under-21s side, but nobody was predicting the teenager would quickly become one of the most exciting player in the Premier League.
Assistant boss James Collins told BBC Radio Stoke: “I spoke to Warren Joyce last season about taking him.
“They said he was needed in their 21s and a week later he makes his first-team debut and the rest is history.
“It shows you there are good players in these academies.
“There are plenty of kids being produced but opportunity is the key – maybe some of the bigger clubs are missing a trick.”