Manchester United's 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford scored on his England debut on Friday night, 92 days after his first start for the Red Devils. It has been a meteoric rise, and one that definitely qualifies as the biggest surprise of the season.Anthony Martial was in the running for this award given just how much of an impact he made in his debut season, after his signing was seen as a one-for-the-future typealbeit an expensive one. He is second to Rashford here by virtue of that big transfer fee. Someone, somewhere, clearly knew the Frenchman had this kind of season in him.Rashford had been considered a very promising player at youth level. In December 2015, former United youth-team coach Paul McGuinness said of him, per the club's website:"Hes improved a lot and is ready for a step up as well. I think he can play in all the teams nowthe under-21s, under-19s and under-18s and so on."However, it is reasonable to assume that McGuinness did not mean "being an automatic pick for the starting XI at the FA Cup final and scoring for England" when he said "and so on." But that is exactly what has happened.His first start, fittingly, came as a surprise. He made it as far as the bench for United's Europa League home game against FC Midtjylland, thanks to injuries to Wayne Rooney, Will Keane and Marouane Fellaini. Martial was set to start but was injured in the warm up, meaning Rashford made his unlikely debut.And what a debut it was. Two goals, both celebrated by jumping into the United crowd. Of course, the cries of "don't get carried away, it's only FC Midtjylland" followed. However, United's next visitors were then-title-contenders Arsenal. Rashford put two past them and assisted United's third in a 3-2 win.It was clear someone very special had arrived.Then came a five-game break in the scoring, but when he got back on the scoresheet, he did so in style, leaving Martin Demichelis on the ground in his wake as he scored the winner in the Manchester derby.Ultimately, United were unable to claw back the deficit to Manchester City and earn a Champions League place, but Rashford gave them hope.He was also instrumental in their passage to the FA Cup final, scoring a top-drawer goal in the quarter-final replay against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground.And of course, he was called up to England's preliminary squad for Euro 2016, before putting in an FA Cup final display that was the envy of every other forward player on the pitch. Direct, confident, full of inspired tricks and flicks, Rashford had clearly arrived.As well of the speed of his ascent coming as a surprise, the manner of his performances have, too. He was not necessarily thought of as a clinical striker as he has come through the youth ranks, somethingMcGuinness noted in further analysis of the player's development, this time per BBC Sport:He wasn't goal obsessed. He would play up front but he was always wanting to be the clever number 10.Someone with that much ability and speed is wasted doing that.It happened with Cristiano Ronaldo. When he first came he was all tricks and stepovers and show. Then he started to realise that goals got you all the attention. And he changed didn't he' He started to score headers. He saw what could happen if he changed to a striker's mentality.Rashford's emergence has been as surprising as it has been exciting. He was thought of as a talent, certainly, but ready for the biggest stage' That was unexpected.Next season, defenders will be ready for him, but from his performances so far, there seems every chance he will be ready for them, too. United's biggest surprise this season will likely remain one of their biggest threats next time around.
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