Marcus Rashford is about to do something no Manchester United player has done for a decade

After scoring a paltry five goals in a forgettable campaign last season, you probably would have got long odds just on Marcus Rashford hitting double figures this time around.

The Manchester United academy graduate, who is closing in on his 350th appearance for the club, experienced his lowest scoring season in front of goal since graduating to the first-team under Louis van Gaal in 2016. After being robbed of a pre-season because of surgery on his shoulder, Rashford regressed at such a rate last season that supporters were genuinely concerned for his welfare.

He was distant, lacked belief and did not look like a player who would be capable of meeting the impeccable standards that were about to be set by Erik ten Hag. Fast forward the clock by a few months, however, and the 25-year-old is now enjoying the best scoring season of his career so far - and is showing no signs of stopping.

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His emphatic opener in Thursday night's 4-1 Europa League win over Real Betis marked his 26th goal of the season for United, meaning he is now closing in on the golden tally of 30. Considering the Reds are still alive and kicking in both the Europa League and the FA Cup, as well as having 13 Premier League fixtures left to fulfil, Rashford could still make up to, if the club goes the full distance in both of the aforementioned cup competitions, another 22 appearances before the end of the season.

With that figure now printed in your mind, Rashford should have no trouble in becoming the first United player since Robin van Persie in 2012/13 to score 30 goals in a single season. Both Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2016/17) and Bruno Fernandes (2020/21) have gone close to matching Van