Rashford hungry to build on fine form
MANCHESTER UNITED forward Marcus Rashford will not dwell on his successful debut campaign and instead hopes to build on his impressive form under manager Jose Mourinho.
The teenager burst on to the scene in February, scoring on his Premier League, Europa League and senior international debuts. He struck five goals in 11 league games in his debut campaign and was included in England’s Euro 2016 squad.
The 18-year-old has already scored four goals in seven appearances in all competitions this season, forcing his way into Mourinho’s first-team plans despite the signing of prolific striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “A lot of things happened last season and it is now behind me. It was last season,” Rashford,
pictured, told the club’s website.
“I have to try and recreate those moments this year and to get the goal early in the season was quite important for me to get back on a roll. I am just looking to build momentum now.”
Rashford also described last month’s 92nd-minute winner against Hull City in his first league outing under new manager Mourinho as his most important goal for United since he was handed his debut under previous coach Louis van Gaal.
“It was a different moment for me and I don’t think I’ve scored one so late in the game before. It was an amazing feeling to be with the travelling fans as well, a brilliant feeling,” Rashford added. “I feel like that was the most important goal for me, to get the winner in the last minute away from home. I like the feeling that it gave me and I want more.” United, who are sixth in the league standings, host struggling Stoke City on Sunday. ● Wayne Rooney may not start United’s Europa League match against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk for his own protection as he is struggling with a back injury, manager Jose Mourinho said yesterday. Mourinho dropped his captain to the bench for Saturday’s Premier League game against Leicester City following a series of lacklustre performances and United beat the champions 4-1. “He didn’t train yesterday, he did just a little bit of the session on Monday. He had a back problem,” Mourinho said. “So I was completely convinced of playing him tomorrow from the beginning with this situation in the last couple of days, but I am not sure if I do that because of the situation you created with him,” he added. “Because I am here to protect him and not to put him in difficult situations I have to analyse whether the best thing for him is to start the game if he is not totally ready for it.”
United suffered a surprising 1-0 loss to Dutch side Feyenoord in their opening group game, and Mourinho said victory on Wednesday was crucial if they are to progress to the latter stages of the competition.
“It is very important. We have to win. We have four matches after this and (if no win tomorrow) you have to win all the last four matches, which is difficult. So it is very important that we win the game,” he added.
United full back Luke Shaw will miss the game at Old Trafford through illness but forward Anthony Martial has recovered from a calf injury.
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who retired from international football after Euro 2016, will lead the line for the hosts.
“We have two matches and then, for him (Ibrahimovic), it is two weeks without football,” Mourinho said.
“He has to play tomorrow and then Stoke. Then he will have plenty of time to rest.”
The former Chelsea boss also praised Juan Mata, who left Stamford Bridge to join United in January 2014.
“In my project at Chelsea he was a good player. In my project at Man United he is a very good player.
“We are trying to play in a different way. It is very adapted to his qualities. He has found a natural habitat for his football.” – Reuters