MARCUS RASHFORD scored a superb solo goal – after picking the ball up in his own half.
The Manchester United forward, 25, turned on the afterburners to breeze through the pitch after helping dispossess Burnley’s Josh Brownhill.
He burst into the Clarets’ half and simply kept on dribbling as the opposition defence backed off.
Rashford had the option of slipping Anthony Martial in down the right channel – but ignored his fellow forward.
And when it looked like he may have taken it just a tad too far, he came inside the defender and produced a fine finish into the bottom corner.
The beaming smile on his face said it all as the Old Trafford crowd roared for their local hero – who made it 2-0 and sealed United’s place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Rashford said: “It’s always good to be back and this was a tough game but it’s good to get into the next round.
“There’s obviously space in front and you’re trying to wait for the right time to get a pass but it opened up and I just went for it.”
Gary Neville hailed the goal and the man-of-the-match performance from the Red Devils’ No10.
The Sky Sports pundit said: “I was shouting ‘pass it’!
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“Martial made a run for the pass but he carries on and on and on.
“He gets a little bit of fortune.
“It’s a brilliant finish, he has a lot to do.
“I think he’s better centrally and on the left but he makes the best on the right.”
Rashford was playing in England’s heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of France just 11 days ago in Qatar.
It was a rapid turnaround for the Three Lions forward and four others in the United starting XI who were on international duty in Qatar.
Christian Eriksen went out in the group stages but Rashford, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Tyrell Malacia all reached the last eight.
‘FUN TO BE BACK’
Speaking about the recovery, Rashford added: “It’s more emotional as it was so disappointing to get knocked out but you have to pick yourself up and get the results.
“Tonight it was fun to be back out there, me and the lads enjoyed it.”
Eriksen opened the scoring for United this evening after rounding off a neat move – with rare starter Aaron Wan-Bissaka teeing him up.
And now United are eyeing lifting the trophy at Wembley early in 2023 – especially with Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and one of Manchester City or Liverpool being knocked out before the quarters.
Rashford said: “Massively we are in every tournament to go and win it.
“This is a good one to win.
“Winning this in February can help you push on to succeed more later in the season.”
