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By Teddy Cutler
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Who is Marcus Rashford?
It was a question many inside Old Trafford were asking, and in front of televisions, on Thursday evening, after the teenager replaced another, far more established youngster in Anthony Martial after the Frenchman injured himself in the warm-up before the crucial UEFA Europa League game against F.C. Midtjylland.
And it was answered, partially, when Rashford struck sweetly on 63 minutes, meeting Juan Mata's pass, and more fully 12 minutes later, with an even more composed finish.
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Rashford is so juvenile, and untested—this was his first-team debut—and at 18, the academy striker was only called up to the matchday squad on the day of the game.
But perhaps it should come as little surprise that United manager Louis Van Gaal said he was not worried about putting Rashford into such a momentous game in the club's season, describing him in the aftermath of the 5-1 victory as the "best option."
Van Gaal's words mollify the state of United's injury crisis—with so many players out, and Martial then withdrawing having felt a hamstring problem, the Dutchman really had little choice but to give Rashford his chance.
Yet equally, it was a decision based on sound, logical foundations.
Manchester-born Rashford has been a regular scorer through the youth ranks at United, having made rapid progress since he was piloted in similarly unexpected circumstances into an FA Youth Cup tie against Leicester City in 2013-14.
Amongst the criticism of his tenure, much of it justified in light of United's dour football and some poor results this season that have left the club in danger of missing out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League, Van Gaal has repeatedly shown his desire to promote United's youth cohort.
Jesse Lingard, the winger, has progressed to become a regular first-team player this season, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, 19, was given his debut in December.
Another young player, 22-year-old Uruguayan full back Guillermo Varela, impressed against Midtjylland.
Youthful promise does not necessarily flower into a mature, world-class player—think back to Federico Macheda, who faded after such a dazzling start to his United career seven years ago.
But the success of the club's youth policy does mean that Van Gaal, should he depart in the summer to be replaced by Jose Mourinho, will leave a legacy for good amid the rancor of two lost years.
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