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Rashford reveals his penalty practice partner as Man Utd forward seeks to ‘score against anyone’
The Red Devils star feels working with Dean Henderson and Joel Pereira at Old Trafford has helped to make him a better finisher from the spot
Marcus Rashford has made Dean Henderson his main penalty practice partner at Manchester United, with the Red Devils forward convinced that he can “score against anyone” from the spot.
The England international is not the go-to option for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side from 12 yards, with Bruno Fernandes proving to be prolific over dead balls during his time at Old Trafford.
Rashford is, however, ready when required, having shown himself to be more than capable in the past, and believes working with those that know him best is helping to hone his skills.
What has been said?
Rashford has told United’s official website of penalty sessions with Henderson and Joel Pereira, who is currently out on loan at Huddersfield: “We do practise against each other.
“I always like to practise against Dean and Joel because, probably out of all the keepers, they know me best and my finishing drills and stuff like that.
“If I can score against them I know I can score against anyone, so I have to test myself against these guys.”
Rashford’s penalty record
A product of United’s academy system has taken 16 penalties across his career to date, with those attempts split across youth and senior outings for club and country.
He has found the back of the net on 14 occasions, with just two misses registered.
Both of his failures came during the 2019-20 campaign, as lines were fluffed in meetings with Crystal Palace and Norwich.
Rashford has successfully converted two spot-kicks this season, with an effort for England against Belgium followed by one for United in a Champions League clash with Istanbul Basaksehir.
The 23-year-old often took on responsibility for the Red Devils prior to Fernandes’ arrival in January 2020.
His most memorable spot-kick came in a European meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in March 2019, with a dramatic late strike seeing the Red Devils complete a stirring comeback against the French giants.
How many penalties have United been awarded this season?
Solskjaer’s side have picked up a useful habit of winning penalties in recent times.
They have stepped up to the spot on eight occasions in the Premier League this season, with seven of those attempts converted.
Leicester are the only team to have been awarded more penalties in 2020-21, with Brendan Rodgers’ side into double figures on 10.
