Manchester United needed someone to step up in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's absence against Celta Vigo on Thursday night and, surprise surprise, it was Marcus Rashford.

A frustrating opening 45 minutes saw the 19-year-old denied a 25-yard screamer when Sergio Alvarez clawed away his strike from the top-right corner.

Chance after chance went begging for United, with Jesse Lingard a particular culprit for missing numerous golden opportunities.

It seemed like only a moment of magic would break the deadlock and in the 67th minute, Rashford provided exactly that.

United won a free-kick 25 yards out and to the right of Celta's 18-yard box, with Rashford and Daley Blind standing over it.

Because of the position of the free-kick, Blind's left foot seemed like the best option, yet it was Rashford who whipped a sumptuous strike into the far corner.

The Englishman has shown glimpses of his ability from set pieces recently and as a result of his goal, comparisons were immediately made to a certain David Beckham.

Speaking after the game, Jose Mourinho hailed Rashford for his match winner and explained how the secret to his rise has been hard work on the training ground.

"Rashford is a 19-year-old who loves football. He works, he works, he works, he stays behind after training every day," the Portuguese said.

Just look at Mourinho's reaction to Rashford's free-kick - you can tell how much it meant.

However, it wasn't all good news for Rashford, who limped off with an injury in the 80th minute that, according to Mourinho, he started the game with.

The teenage sensation certainly took his time leaving the pitch, much to the frustration of Celta's players, who quickly swarmed and urged him to be quicker.

But Rashford was having none of it. In the video below, former Manchester City striker John Guidetti can be seen having a go at him for taking so long.

Rashford then turns to Guidetti, puts a finger to his lips and appears to say: "Shh, are you the ref?"

RASHFORD OWNS GUIDETTI

United fans knew exactly what Rashford said to Guidetti and so, naturally, they went wild on Twitter.

TWITTER REACTS

How Guidetti must regret saying Manchester is blue before the game. He said: "I played in England and lived in Manchester for six years, so I follow both of the teams there.

"[United are] a very good team. Obviously they've got a good manager, a fantastic stadium, and they're one of the favourites to win the Europa League.

"But as they say, 'Manchester is blue', and that's how it will be when we visit there as well, because we are Celta Vigo and we will try to keep the city blue."