Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has revealed he dedicated his goal in Sunday's 3-0 win over Everton to his late cousin in a touching tribute.
Rashford scored his team's second of the game from the penalty spot after Anthony Martial had been tripped by former United captain Ashley Young – which was overlooked by the officials in real time and only awarded following VAR intervention.
Rashford stepped up to power the ball beyond the reach of Jordan Pickford for just his second goal of the season in all competitions. The celebration from the England international was somewhat subdued as he was mobbed by teammates and it may now be clear why.
"I would like to dedicate the goal yesterday to my cousin who recently passed away," he posted on Instagram alongside an image of him looking to the sky.
Rashford signed off the caption with GBNF, meaning 'gone but not forgotten', and a dove emoji.
After an eye-watering number of losses so this season that at one stage made it United's most at the start of a campaign since 1930, Erik ten Hag will hope that positive recent results in the Premier League will serve as a catalyst for improved form across the board.
Victory over Everton was United's fifth in the last six games, making them the Premier League's most in-form team since the start of October when Scott McTominay scored twice in stoppage time to beat Brentford at Old Trafford.
Things haven't been perfect during this period, however. United still fell to successive 3-0 home defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle in the Premier League and Carabao Cup respectively four weeks ago, as well as twice throwing away the lead against Copenhagen in the Champions League to leave their prospects of reaching the knockout rounds in doubt.
