Louis van Gaal reveals what he told Marcus Rashford at half-time to make sure he’d get his goal

Now, after a 5-1 victory, it looks silly to think that Manchester United were in any danger of dropping out of the Europa League.

But that wasn't the case in the 27th minute at Old Trafford when Pione Sisto of FC Midtjylland scored the opener and pushed them to a 3-1 aggregate advantage, with an away goal. An own goal drew United level but a Juan Mata penalty miss before half-time left many supporters believing that it just wasn't going to be Louis van Gaal's night. Then, on the hour mark, up popped debutant Marcus Rashford with a goal. His second followed 12 minutes later. And the floodgates were soon open as United romped to a 6-3 aggregate win. And van Gaal revealed after the game what he said to the 18-year-old at half-time to ensure that he'd get on the scoresheet. “In the first half he ran too much at the sidelines,” Van Gaal explained to BT Sport.

“I said to him at half-time to be in the width of the goal and you shall score.

“Then he scored two goals – it is fantastic for him.”