A moment that made Man Utd fans start thinking of a familiar Rashford appeared in the 21st minute of the match against Everton on 6/9.

Receiving a lofted pass from Bryan Mbeumo on the left wing, Rashford controlled the ball with the outside of his right foot, then took another quick touch to get past Merlin Rohl. The Everton defender had almost no time to react as the English forward accelerated, before Rashford calmly drilled a cross into a dangerous area. Diogo Dalot missed the first shot, while Matheus Cunha shot over the bar.

Rashford dribbling past Rohl. Photo: screenshot

The play did not result in a goal, but it showcased the qualities that once made Rashford a formidable player: pace, skill, and the ability to beat defenders in tight spaces.

It had been 20 months since Rashford last wore a Man Utd shirt, before returning for his 427th appearance for the club. During that time, he was loaned to Aston Villa and Barca. Therefore, this return to Old Trafford is an opportunity for Rashford to reclaim his former status at Man Utd.

Rashford has not scored or assisted in his first three matches this season. However, focusing solely on these two statistics might overlook the positive signs in his play.

After three matches, Rashford completed 6 dribbles, ranking him sixth in the Premier League. He trails only Mathys Tel of Tottenham with 10, and Omar Marmoush, Julio Enciso, Abdul Fatawu, and Tyrique George, who each have 7.

Rashford attempted 11 dribbles and succeeded 6 times, achieving a success rate of 54,55%. This number is not enough to conclude that he has returned to his peak, but it is noteworthy because his acceleration and ability to beat opponents are crucial weapons for the 28-year-old forward.

Rashford's dribbles are not just for show. Against Everton, he repeatedly drew defenders out of position before accelerating past them. In the 36th minute, Rashford left Vitalii Mykolenko behind with a burst down the wing. He then beat Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the penalty area, forcing James Tarkowski to slide in and concede a corner.

Rashford getting past Mykolenko. Photo: screenshot

In the second half, Rashford again beat Rohl before his cross was blocked by Harrison Armstrong. In another instance, he received the ball from Luke Shaw amidst several players, dribbled past James Garner and Tarkowski, then backheeled it to Cunha in the box. Tarkowski had to intervene from behind to prevent the Brazilian forward from shooting.

Not all of these actions are counted as dribbles by Opta. However, they indicate that Rashford is actively creating danger rather than just waiting for the ball in favorable positions.

In the previous match against Ipswich, he nutmegged Marcelino Nunez and shot on target, before the ball was deflected into the hands of goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. Later, Rashford dragged the ball in the penalty area, causing Darnell Furlong to fall, and only a last-ditch defensive effort prevented a shot.

Even in the first match of the season against Hull City, coming on as a substitute, he accelerated past Cody Drameh and swerved to avoid a tackle, before passing to Kobbie Mainoo for a shot. These plays show Rashford's desire to play more directly towards the goal.

Beyond dribbling, Rashford is also creating more opportunities. After three rounds, he has created eight chances, matching Bruno Fernandes and trailing only Rayan Cherki, Morgan Rogers, and James McAtee. He has yet to register an assist, but the way Rashford is getting the ball into dangerous areas shows his role is evolving positively.

Against Everton, Rashford constantly sought to link up with Cunha, Mbeumo, and Fernandes. A notable instance occurred in the eighth minute. Receiving the ball from Shaw, Rashford held it long enough to draw in Everton defenders, then played a perfectly timed right-footed pass for Shaw to run into space. The Man Utd defender crossed for Mbeumo to head back, setting up Fernandes for a volley that hit the crossbar.

Rashford is not just trying to solve problems himself; he is also making the most logical decisions in situations. This is especially important for Man Utd, as if Rashford truly rediscovers his chance-creating ability, the team will gain another effective attacking outlet alongside Fernandes, Mbeumo, and Cunha.

A positive sign lies in the connection between Rashford and Shaw. The two players had played together in 213 matches before this season, starting from the 2016-2017 season. After the first three matches of the current season, their understanding continues to be evident.

Rashford overlapping for Shaw. Photo: screenshot

Rashford and Shaw have passed to each other 57 times, second only to the Fernandes - Youri Tielemans pairing with 59 passes. However, Fernandes and Tielemans played an additional 59 minutes together.

Both Rashford and Shaw have made five progressive passes to each other. According to Opta's definition, these are completed passes in the opponent's final third that advance the ball at least 25% of the distance towards the goal. No other Man Utd teammates have achieved five progressive passes to each other after three rounds like Rashford and Shaw.

These numbers reflect the trust and situational awareness between two players who have played alongside each other for many years. Rashford often seeks to put Shaw in favorable positions, while Shaw knows when Rashford wants to accelerate or receive the ball in space. If this link continues to develop, the left wing could become a significant attacking avenue for Man Utd.

However, Rashford has only played three matches. He has yet to score or assist, and the current numbers are based on a small sample size. Completing 6 dribbles in three matches is encouraging, but it cannot yet be compared to Rashford's 30 goals across all competitions in the 2022-2023 season.

Chart of passes between Rashford and Shaw. Photo: Opta

That season marked Rashford's peak in goal-scoring ability at Man Utd. He consistently used his pace to exploit space behind defenses and could create opportunities through individual skill.

The following season, that form appeared less frequently. Rashford still had special moments, such as his beautiful shot against Man City in 3/2024 or his decisive finish against Liverpool in the 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory. He also set up Alejandro Garnacho in the play leading to Mainoo's winning goal in the FA Cup final.

However, those moments were not enough to mask a prolonged decline. By December that year, Rashford left Man Utd on loan.

Now, he returns in the red shirt with a different demeanor. Rashford still lacks a goal to prove his resurgence. Yet, he is playing with the confidence and proactivity that once made him one of Man Utd's most dangerous players.

If his dribbling continues to create chances, if his combination with Shaw remains effective, and most importantly, if those chances begin to convert into goals, Rashford could truly approach the version of himself who scored 30 goals in the 2022-2023 season.

Compiled by Xuan Binh