The top-four rivals looked set to play out a goalless draw on Saturday afternoon, until Rashford fired in a late goal that sent the Old Trafford crowd into ecstasy.
Ralf Rangnick was pleased with Manchester United’s display and Marcus Rashford’s influence after the Red Devils secured a dramatic stoppage-time win over West Ham United.
Rashford scored a late goal from close range as United leapfrogged West Ham into the fourth spot in the Premier League table.
It looked like both sides were going to share the spoils as the score remained goalless but with less than 30 seconds of injury time remaining, United had a counter-attacked that saw Edinson Cavani pull out a low cross to the far post, where it was met by Rashford, who made it 1-0 in front of the Stretford End.
“If I look at the shots on goal and the chances during the game, I think we deserved a 1-0 win,” Rangnick told Sky Sports.
“For me, it was clear from the very beginning it would take some patience against a well-organised team like West Ham. It was not always easy for us to find the best possible solutions in the final third.
“Defensively I think it was probably the best performance in the last eight weeks, the way that we were always trying to win balls back, our counter-pressing. “The physicality of the game was really outstanding and we know we still have to improve with possession of the ball.”
On Rashford, who scored against Brentford and West Ham, the Bavarian said: “He’s one of the top strikers in England,” the interim boss said. “He’s an English international, who regularly played in the Euros and we all know what quality he has.
“He has almost everything a modern striker needs. He’s got the pace, skills, he’s got the size and physicality of a striker and in the end it’s all about confidence for strikers. “I’m pretty sure that those two goals have raised the level of confidence within Marcus but now it’s about taking steps, to show that on a regular basis. “It’s about continuity now and I think he can play a very important role for the rest of the season for us.”
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