Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal told debutant Marcus Rashford to stay between the width of the goal at half-time, when the Red Devils were locked in a 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland.
The 18-year-old scored twice in the second half as United raced into a 5-1 lead, eventually progressing into the last 16 of the Europa League on a 6-3 aggregate score.
“In the first half he ran too much at the sidelines,” Van Gaal told BT Sport.
“I said to him at half-time to be in the width of the goal and you shall score.
“Then he scored two goals – it is fantastic for him.”
Rashford was rushed into the match shortly before kick-off as Anthony Martial – United’s joint-top scorer (seven goals) in the league this season – suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up.
The Danish visitors shocked Old Trafford by taking the lead early on through Sisto, but goals from Rashford, Memphis Depay and penalty from Ander Herrera turned the tie in United’s favour, despite Juan Mata’s spot-kick miss shortly before half-time.
Rashford impressed immensely on his first start for the senior side, with the Manchester-born attacker having scored one goal in eight U21 Premier League games this season.
United now enter Friday’s draw for the Round of 16 in the secondary continental competition, with the tournament potentially providing the Red Devils’ best chance of a Champions League place for 2016/17.
Van Gaal’s side are six points adrift of Manchester City, who currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League, whilst having won just three of their last 13 league matches.
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