Marus Rashford spills beans on secrets behind one of his deadliest attributes – Man United News And Transfer News

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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has revealed how he honed one of his biggest strengths: free-kicks.

Rashford’s masterclass

Rashford has scored some big goals throughout his career, some of which have been free-kicks. Memorable ones include a sensational strike against Chelsea in 2019 to send United through to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and the goal he bagged against Real Madrid last season to seal the La Liga title for Barcelona.

Few United players, if any, can match Rashford’s ability to strike a ball cleanly and powerfully.

Rashford discussed his approach to dead-ball situations with England’s media, detailing the execution of an effective free-kick.

The Carrington academy graduate started, “I always find it easier in a game to execute, because I always feel like you’re sharper in a game than training because of the adrenaline. But if you feel confident that you can score, always go with that!”

“First of all, I place the ball. I like to stay on top of the ball until the goalkeeper’s put his wall in place. Then I’ll take around three steps back, and then a little step forward, so two and a half steps. I don’t have a set position for the ball, I just make sure it’s nice and flat.”

“I’ll then take some short steps, because from here I can generate quite a lot of power, but it’s more about getting the ball up and down (over the wall) because that’s going to beat the keeper more than it being in the actual corner, so I just try to focus on that.”

He continued, “I feel that from free-kicks, it doesn’t matter where your feet are pointing as you don’t want to give too much away to the goalkeeper. Usually when you’re ball-striking, the angle of the planted foot is where you’re shooting so I try not to give any of that away.”

“It’s how I actually learned when I was younger and it’s a clear thing for the goalkeeper to look where your foot is facing to see where you’re going, unless you’re going to reverse or put a bit of disguise on it. You have to have different techniques from different positions. If you’re wider, you need to curl it and hide the ball from the goalkeeper for as long as possible, so I try and shoot flatter balls.”

“I don’t know if I’m shooting until as late as possible, so in the meantime I’m always looking to see if there’s any better options. The other team will think you’re going to shoot, but if someone ends up free on the end of the wall for a pass, then that’s why I like to spend as much time in this position (over the ball) so I’m ready to play it short.”

‘Knuckle ball’

Rashford’s knuckle-ball approach has frequently drawn parallels to that of Cristiano Ronaldo. Nevertheless, Rashford has asserted that the two are distinct, a conviction reinforced by their time together in United’s first-team setup.

“The last technique I’d use (from distance) is the ‘knuckle ball’, which is effective from central positions and is just about making it really difficult for the keeper to save. And if he does save it, then it might fall out into a dangerous position and one of your teammates.”

“Once you’ve got the technique, you don’t have to change much but the hardest thing is just getting the technique. Everyone seems to think it’s all about power, but it’s not. It’s about ball contact, with as least time as possible touching the ball and no follow through.”

He added, “You’re not always looking to put it in the top corner. If it’s really wet, I want to make sure it bounces before it gets to the keeper.”

“You want the (ball) valve to be where you contact the ball and then I’ll take four steps back and to the left. It’s a low-ball contact and a then a straight stop with the leg after you make contact.”

“A lot of people say some of my shots are like Cristiano’s but we have a different technique and having trained with him, it’s definitely different. I’ve never copied anyone or mirrored it, I’ve just found what I’m comfortable with and went with that.”

Rashford will be desperate to have his future wrapped up as soon as possible, freeing him up to do what he does best: scoring spectacular free-kicks and adding more chapters to his legacy.

As it stands, he is poised to be reintegrated into the United team following Barcelona’s decision not to sign him permanently. Both parties still prefer a parting of ways but in the event that an exit is not secured before the close of the window, Michael Carrick is prepared to work with the player.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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