Too much stress on Rashford, says Jose

JOSE MOURINHO insists that expectations about striker Marcus Rashford have now soared to unreasonable levels.

The Manchester United and England forward has scored only once for his club all season and just twice since March, having spent many games out on the left wing.

United manager Mourinho recently suggested Rashford, who turned 21 on Wednesday, was ‘sad’ on the pitch but backed the academy graduate to come through his barren spell.

‘The pressure is probably too high,’ Mourinho said. ‘A little (less) pressure will help him to achieve what he can achieve. How many players at 21 had more game time at a big club, for a big country? Not many.’

Mourinho, looking to stretch United’s unbeaten Premier League run to four games for the first time since April, expects Rashford to thrive at Bournemouth today.

United believe the youngster is being given every chance to grow and the manager has consistently spoken about the number of games Rashford has played.

‘He’s having incredible opportunities to develop, which is what he’s doing,’ Mourinho said. ‘He is having fantastic conditions to develop since Mr Van Gaal brought him to the team. Then I come and he played with me a lot.’

Mourinho also confirmed for the first time that he wants Anthony Martial to sign a new contract. Talks with the French forward’s representative are ongoing. His current deal is up in 2020, though the club have the option of a oneyear extension.

Martial, 23 next month, has seen his form improve drastically recently, with four goals in as many games — including last Sunday’s winner against Everton.

Mourinho was open to allowing him to leave last summer but has changed his mind. ‘Hopefully, he is going to stay,’ Mourinho said. ‘He’s talented — everybody has known since he was in Monaco. He is now much closer to being a top player.’

Mourinho suggested there was no point talking about the title race with United already nine points behind leaders Manchester City but predicted a top-four finish.

He also expects things to look rosier by the end of December while admitting more goals are required.

‘I think the team, with more confidence, more goals will arrive for them,’ he said. ‘Romelu Lukaku doesn’t score for nine matches. Do I think in the next nine matches he’s going to score zero goals? No, he’s going to score a few goals.’

That will not happen today. The Belgian did not travel with the United party and was possibly being saved for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Juventus.

The FA are still considering whether to appeal after their charge against Mourinho for insulting language was thrown out this week.