ZLAT’S JUST WHAT I NEED
Rashford says Ibrahimovic will boost England hopes
MARCUS RASHFORD hopes Zlatan Ibrahimovic can fire him into Sam Allardyce’s England set-up.
While the new England boss has expressed fears that the arrival of the Swede, right, at Manchester United could mean less game-time for Rashford, the 18-year-old insists just being in the same dressing room will benefit his career. “We can definitely all learn from him while he is here, so we all need to take that chance,” said Rashford. “It’s a massive help to be with him every day and it’s great to see what he is like on and off the pitch. There is a lot to learn from him and hopefully I can bring some of his game into mine.” Certainly he will be hoping to
add some of the skills that led to United’s opener against Galatasaray in Gothenburg on Saturday; Ibrahimovic scored his first goal just four minutes into his first appearance when he met Antonio Valencia’s right-wing cross with an acrobatic bicycle kick.
Rashford would have admired that from the bench, and looked lively when he replaced Ibrahimovic at half-time and helped United recover from 2-1 down to win 5-2 with goals from Wayne Rooney (two), Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini.
Rashford burst through from the youth ranks last season to earn a place in the first XI and an unexpected trip to Euro 2016.
But Allardyce has expressed his fears that new United manager Jose Mourinho will turn to experience under the pressure of a Premier League campaign.
“Jose’s job is to win the title, but I hope Rashford plays,” said Allardyce. “He’s a talent, and if Jose sees that talent emerge like it did last year, then the boy picks himself.”
After his dizzying rise, Rashford is happy to slow things down again as he looks to establish himself in the Old Trafford set-up. “I’m preparing for the new season now,” he said. “There’s no need to rush in to anything. I’m taking my time, taking it steady.”
Mourinho has spoken of his concern at United’s readiness for the new season due to the number of players given extended breaks following Euro 2016 and the unsatisfactory nature of their tour to China, where a match against Manchester City was cancelled due to poor conditions.