Marcus Rashford was the somewhat unexpected winner of the Premier League player of the month award for September, with his Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag winning the manager of the month gong.
It is the second time Rashford has won the league's player of the month award, but it was a less expected win than his previous one in January 2019.
United played just two games in a stop-start September, as a result of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and an international break.
Ex-Sky host Richard Keys has gained a reputation for throwing out controversial footballing opinions since leaving the British broadcaster in disgrace in 2011. He could not hold his silence on Rashford's success, questioning the wisdom of awarding the Manchester United man with player of the month - an opinion which gained some considerable backlash.
Richard Keys makes questionable Marcus Rashford claim
Despite the fact that Manchester United played only two Premier League games in September, those two games were a massive sign that Marcus Rashford is at the very least approaching a return to his best form.
The English forward set up the winning goal in United's win away to Leicester City at the beginning of the month, before playing an influential role in the 3-1 win over Arsenal on September 4. He would score the two decisive goals, after setting up Antony's debut opener.
United would record two wins from two games in September, with all four of their goals in those games involving Marcus Rashford. It seemed a reasonable call to award him with the player of the month award - but Richard Keys did not agree.
Marcus Rashford - PoM - for scoring 2 goals and recording 2 assists? They’re having a laugh 😂😂.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) September 30, 2022
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The argument against Rashford being awarded the player of the month could perhaps be justified by the fact that he played only two games in the month - but that argument collapses when you realise that only a handful of teams played any more, given the unusual circumstances surrounding the Queen's death.
When pushed further on his comments on Rashford, Keys doubled down, saying that Rashford's poor form over the past few months should have deterred voters from putting him down for the award.
@utdspace_ He’s done nothing for 2 years. PoM for showing signs that he might be able to do his job again? It’s pathetic.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) September 30, 2022
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This seems a fairly fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of a Player of the Month award - which is, to award the player who performs best in any given month in the Premier League, irrespective of past performances.
It also falls down when you see Keys referring to the past "2 years" - which would include the 2020-21 season, in which Rashford scored 21 goals and helped Manchester United to second in the Premier League, and a Europa League final.
He was undoubtedly out of form last year, to a shocking degree, but it is similarly hard to argue against the fact that he has been in flying form so far this season.
Manchester United fans and football pundits were quick to come to Rashford's defence.
Not sure they're the stats to use if you're suggesting Rashford shouldn't have won, they are the best compared to the other nominees:
De Bruyne: 0 goals, 3 assists
Billing: 2 goals, 0 assists
Hojbjerg: 1 goal. 1 assist
Iwobi: 0 goals, 1 assist
Ramsey: 1 goal, 1 assist— Ben (@Ben26457684) September 30, 2022
Imagine thinking recording four goals/assists in two games wasn’t impressive. No wonder this fella can’t get on the telly over here to talk about football anymore. Clueless 😂😂 https://t.co/LbniLoXhdo
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) September 30, 2022
Just to clarify, the award was for his performances in September 2022. What does Richard Keys think the criteria for winning “player of the month” is? 😂 https://t.co/8ryLk2FinO
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) September 30, 2022
For a guy who has a 46-year career in football, it shouldn't be this hard for Richard Keys to grasp how Player of the Month works https://t.co/UK4lj9asSq
— Casey Evans (@Casey_Evans_) September 30, 2022
Name a player who has more goal contribution than Rashford in September? https://t.co/9vHU0qFU0j
— Griffin (@Griffin_10) October 1, 2022
Almost as if 4 goal contributions in 2 games is good https://t.co/RijnUgomDn
— Tom Walker (@_WalkerTom99_) October 1, 2022
There was only two games played in September you muppet https://t.co/khj66mLY2x
— Liam #GlazersOut 🔰 (@lpreal11) September 30, 2022
We'd hazard a guess Marcus Rashford won't be bothered by Richard Keys' comments, but he will hope to continue his strong form.
He is currently a doubt for this Sunday's massive Manchester derby, and manager Ten Hag will hope to have his star man up front available.
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