Marcus Rashford goal celebration against Tottenham

Marcus Rashford is no stranger to celebrating goals at Old Trafford.

At the start of 2023, Rashford equalled Dennis Viollet’s 64-year record of scoring in nine consecutive home games. However, before his crisp strike in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, Rashford’s most recent goal at the Theatre of Dreams had been against a Chelsea side under the stewardship of Frank Lampard. Joao Felix even found the net for the Blues that day.

After almost eight months stewing away, Rashford would certainly have been entitled to a cathartic outpouring of emotion. Rasmus Hojlund almost pulled a muscle roaring in delight when he ended his personal drought against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Yet, Rashford had the clarity of thought to delivering a celebration with a deeper meaning than unbridled joy.

As a wild first half at Old Trafford teetered towards a reluctant finish, Rashford exchanged passes with Hojlund inside Tottenham’s box. Micky van de Ven hauled his significant frame in the way but Rashford sent the ball scuttling between the Dutchman’s legs and into the bottom corner.

Wheeling away towards the north east corner of the crumbling stadium, Rashford didn’t crack a smile. Instead, the 26-year-old performed the universal talking gesture with his gloved hand, snapping his fingers and thumb together before dropping into a knee slide.

Rashford spent almost the entirety of 2023 celebrating each of his 21 goals by calmly pointing at his temple. The instantly iconic move – which was copied by several other professionals – hinted at the importance of being in the “right headspace”. Rashford has explained in the past how his form can be greatly influenced by “other things off the pitch” and his latest celebration is a nod towards the noise invariably swirling around him.

Roy Keane doesn’t need much encouragement to take umbrage with the actions of a Manchester United player. Perhaps a 50-50 tackle has been lost or there have been too many pre-game pleasantries in the tunnel. Even an ostensibly successful outcome can only produce a gruff response of: “It’s his job.”

When Harry Maguire cupped his ears in celebration of a goal for England against Albania in 2021, a puce Keane wrote the Manchester United defender off as “embarrassing”.

And…