IAN LADYMAN: Man United may have star No 9 under their nose in Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford’s transformation from lost soul to leader of Manchester United’s revival took another significant step against Leeds, but it required some tactical adjustments from Erik ten Hag to pull it off.

Rashford’s goal at Old Trafford was his 12th since the World Cup final in late December. More interestingly, it now means that he has scored as many Premier League goals as Eric Cantona: 70.

Rashford can never boast of Cantona’s natural genius, but he is proving to be as important to Ten Hag in his bid to return United to the top of the English game as the Frenchman was to Sir Alex Ferguson when he managed them two years ago. decades.

On Wednesday night, Rashford’s towering header, which leapt past Leeds defender Robert Koch, served to heighten the atmosphere at Old Trafford as United chased from a 2-0 deficit. Eight minutes later, with the old place swaying, Jadon Sancho drove in second.

But would any of that have happened if Ten Hag hadn’t swallowed a bit of pride and reversed his initial decision to start Rashford on the right side?

Much of Rashford’s success has come from the other flank this season, but with youngster Alejandro Garnacho starting there on Wednesday, Rashford cut a rather frustrated and it has to be said irritated figure on the left throughout the first half.

As the game progressed, all of that changed. Rashford left the field in a flash at half time. Either he needed to go to the bathroom or he wanted to talk to his manager. In any case, United’s brilliant comeback came when the England player first returned to his favorite position and then later played as a midfielder.

The final change raises another interesting question. Rashford was hailed as the No. 9 when he first broke into Louis van Gaal in 2015, but doubts soon arose about his ability as a natural finisher.

Now, however, Rashford scores goals as easily as anyone in the Premier League. Harry Kane would have been proud of his header against Leeds. As United scour Europe for a centre-forward this summer, do they really have one right under their noses?

At one point this week, Leeds United had hoped to have a new manager sitting in the stands at Old Trafford, but it is not easy for the great Yorkshire club to replace Jesse Marsch, sacked on Monday after the defeat at Nottingham Forest.

With Carlos Corberan signing a new contract to stay at West Brom (Leeds claim he was never offered the job) and Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola choosing to remain in Spain, the search continues.

Leeds have privately indicated they will consider an interim appointment if necessary with the club’s owners and sporting director Victor Orta, preferring to wait until the summer to find the right man rather than hastily appointing him now.

What Leeds must do, of course, is stay awake. There was enough in Wednesday night’s performance to suggest they will, but as they prepare to face Manchester United again at Elland Road on Sunday, their league winless run now extends to eight and, due to the World Cup, until the end. Let’s go back to the beginning of November. That continues to be a concern.

One man who may be key to their prospects for survival is Patrick Bamford. Leeds are not short of attacking talent and the likes of Wilfried Gnonto and Jack Harrison can be great to see how they commit the men forward.

Yet too often this season, Leeds have lacked a focal point. They are capable of scoring goals from different areas, but that is not the point. Bamford, playing as number 9, gives Leeds a natural approach to their attacking game.

He can hold the ball high, draw Leeds’ wide-open players into the game and is also gutsy enough to accept the physical challenges of the role. What you have to do now is stay in shape. Bamford has started just six Premier League games this season, scoring once, and it’s not enough.

Meanwhile, one player who seemed content to still be in a Leeds shirt at Old Trafford was Harrison.

The 26-year-old was at Leicester awaiting a medical before a transfer deadline day only for Leeds to decide they did not need the proceeds from the deal to finance their own transfers. Harrison was recalled to Yorkshire, was back in the starting line-up on Wednesday night after falling out of favor with Marsch and played a crucial role in Leeds’ second goal.

Jadon Sancho’s story is good, but now the real work begins.

Back in the Manchester United squad after taking time to deal with some physical problems and the mental strain often associated with life as a top athlete, the 22-year-old played his first minutes in the Premier League since October and scored the equalizer at Stretford. The end. That was a moment to remember for the former Manchester City youth product.

Where he goes from here though is up to him and United manager Ten Hag basically said that full-time.

“He is a brilliant footballer and if he invests and is at the right levels, he can perform outstandingly,” the Dutchman said.

I think it’s in your own hands. So if he wants to, he can do it.

Ten Hag and United have handled Sancho well this season. By not hiding her problems from him, they gave her time and space to recover from the stare and scrutiny.

However, the only question remains now. Does Sancho have what it takes to succeed at United?

Competition for places in United’s forward line is strong and will only get stronger.

Rashford is establishing himself as one of the best talents in the game once again. United bought Brazilian Antony at Ten Hag’s insistence last summer and considered signing Memphis Depay in January. They still have Anthony Martial, while the young Garnacho has risen through the ranks after beginning his career at Atlético Madrid.

When you also consider that United plan to spend again on attacking players this summer, the scale of the challenge for Sancho becomes clear.

He was bought for more than £70m from Borussia Dortmund 18 months ago, but has failed to consistently deliver and has scored only six league goals so far.

In particular, Sancho has had trouble beating players. That could be a matter of confidence, while some in the game feel the move to the Premier League, where games are tougher week after week, has proved too much for him.

In any case, it’s great to see him back. But Wednesday night represented one small step. There are still bigger ones to take.