Is Marcus Rashford truly back at United’s best?

That flash of brilliance made you sit up: is Rashford truly back?

After a 20‑month gap between his 426th and 427th United outings, his 21st‑minute strike against Everton reminded fans of his early‑career spark.

Mbeumo floated a ball wide on the left, finding Rashford in space.

Rashford clipped it with his right‑foot outside, then whirled past Merlin Rohl, leaving the defender clutching his shirt.

He calmly cut the ball back into danger; Dalot’s first effort went wide before Cunha, arriving from deep, vaulted it over the bar.

The scene echoed the Rashford who netted 30 goals in 2022‑23, a player who could dominate with skill and pace.

He resurfaced with a thunderous goal at City in March 2024 and a sharp finish in the 4‑3 FA Cup win over Liverpool, plus a slick assist for Garnacho in the final.

By December, a dip saw him loaned to Aston Villa, then Barcelona, sparking doubts of a permanent return.

Now back in United’s red, he appears revitalised and eager to prove his worth.

That moment at Hill Dickinson Stadium highlighted two traits from his early days to now.

His dribble past Rohl was one of six in three games, trailing only five Premier League players such as Tottenham’s Mathys Tel (10).

He created one of eight chances, a tally outpaced by only three league peers, matching United captain Bruno Fernandes despite limited minutes.

Rashford hasn’t yet recorded a goal or assist, but his confidence suggests the prolific form of four seasons ago still lingers; at 28 he still boasts blistering acceleration.

He relished the Everton duel, replicating his earlier move on Rohl in the 36th minute against Vitalii Mykolenko.

Mykolenko, covering at right‑back, was drawn into a foul after Rashford’s precise pass to Cunha with his right‑foot outside.

From that free‑kick, Everton reshuffled their back four, allowing Rashford to target Mykolenko, who had drifted to left‑back.

Rashford teased the Ukrainian, then surged past, beating Dewsbury‑Hall and forcing Tarkowski into a corner.

In the second half he crossed with his left, blocked by Armstrong, then back‑heeled to Cunha after a Shaw pass, prompting a denied penalty appeal.

Opta didn’t log most of those moves, but his 64th‑minute glide past Rohl earned a dribble credit and a booking for the defender.

His dribbles aren’t flash‑in‑the‑pan; they serve a clear purpose.

Against Ipswich, a nutmeg set up a shot that rang the post and a drag‑back left Furlong on the ground, only desperate defending denied another chance.

After entering at Hull, he sprinted past Drameh, checked back, and slipped a pass to Mainoo whose effort was blocked.

A key to Rashford’s resurgence is his chemistry with Shaw; the duo have shared 213 games since 2016‑17 and now provide United with a potent outlet.

Their link explains Rashford’s form: Shaw featured 47 times in 2022‑23 when Rashford hit 30, but only 15 the next season when Rashford managed nine.

Against Everton, Shaw released Rashford on the inside, who then timed a right‑foot pass to create space for Shaw.

That cross found Mbeumo, whose header was volleyed onto the bar by Fernandes.

Rashford and Shaw have exchanged 57 passes this season, second only to Fernandes and Tielemans (59).

Both have delivered five progressive passes each, moving the ball into attacking territory.

Only three Premier League players have logged more progressive passes to a teammate after three rounds – Palace’s Khalaili (7), Robinson (7) and van Dijk (6).

The pass map shows Rashford’s dangerous placements for Shaw – three inside the box, two on its edge – underscoring trust and timing.

Three games in, the early signs are encouraging for Rashford’s ball‑play across the board.