The Red Devils' forward line looks as well stocked as any in the country with the Frenchman, in particular, rising to the challenge of winning over his manager.
From the first minute at Old Trafford on Saturday it was clear that Manchester United were going to have far too much for Jaap Stam’s Reading. Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney both had chances before the skipper’s seventh-minute opener, while Anthony Martial doubled the lead shortly after missing another opportunity.
It was a lightning start for a side showing nine changes from the win against West Ham United five days earlier and the eventual 4-0 victory could have been even greater given that they ended the game with a total of 27 shots at goal.
But perhaps even more pleasing for manager Jose Mourinho than the progression to the FA Cup fourth round will have been the performances of the three goalscorers, underlining the fact that this United squad has an immense array of options in the forward line.
While Rooney, Martial and Rashford have all had their standing at the Theatre of Dreams affected somewhat by last summer’s arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Saturday’s result was proof that each still has a role to play and a thirst to fulfil the responsibility.
Rashford might have missed a couple of great opportunities from one-on-ones in the first half, but after the break he was still full of desire and belief.
He eventually grabbed the third goal from Michael Carrick’s through-ball which again found him free with only Ali Al-Habsi to beat, and then he had the simple task of slamming home after the goalkeeper’s air-shot of a clearance to make it 4-0.
It is no coincidence, though, that Rashford has scored two such goals already this season, with his pace and presence helping to catch keepers off their guard with some regularity.
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