Rashford Rewrites The Record Books

As Louis van Gaal has emphasised, Marcus Rashford may be a "special talent" but the hype surrounding his incredible start to life in the Manchester United first team can be unwelcome.

Nevertheless, a browse through the history books suggest the 18-year-old's achievement in scoring doubles in both of his first outings for the Reds is a unique one. Indeed, no player has had such a productive start in their opening two fixtures since the Second World War.

Jack Rowley failed to find the net on his debut against Sheffield Wednesday but he bagged four in a 5-1 demolition of Swansea City in his next appearance, on 4 December 1937. Hence, Rowley is on a par with Rashford's four-goal haul – but no other United man has as many strikes from their first two games.

Wayne Rooney hit a hat-trick on his bow against Fenerbahce in 2004 in another unbelievable introduction to life in the red shirt that matched Charles Sagar's debut feat in 1905. Others to net three goals in their first two matches include Louis Saha, Paul Scholes and Sir Bobby Charlton.

There is every expectation that Rashford can keep his feet on the ground but there is already no denying just how big a feat he has achieved so early in his Old Trafford career.

FOUR GOALS IN FIRST TWO UNITED GAMES
Jack Rowley (1937: 0 - Sheff Wed, 4 - Swansea)
Marcus Rashford (2016: 2 - Midtjylland, 2 - Arsenal)

THREE GOALS IN FIRST TWO UNITED GAMES
William Brookes (1898: 2 - Loughborough Town, 1 - Grimsby Town)
Bobby Charlton (1956: 2 - Charlton, 1 - Everton)
Ernest Goldthorpe (1922: 1 - Leyton Orient, 2 - Bury)
Henry Leonard (1920: 1 - Chelsea, 2 - Chelsea)
Wayne Rooney (2004: 3 - Fenerbahce, 0 - Middlesbrough)
Charles Sagar (1905: 3 - Bristol City, 0 - Blackpool)
Louis Saha (2004: 1 - Southampton, 2 - Everton)
Paul Scholes (1994: 2 - Port Vale, 1 - Ipswich)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (2001: 1 - Liverpool, 2 - Fulham)