QUALIFIERS I’ve always believed I belong in the big league

NOT much fazes Marcus Rashford, the 19-year-old who thinks and behaves far beyond his years.

So when Jose Mourinho turned to him to lead the line in the Europa League final that would define Manchester United’s season, he did not bat an eyelid. Zlatan Ibrahimovic missing? No bother. The young striker took it all in his stride to help United over the line.

Now he is preparing for another burst in his meteoric rise as England prepare for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Hampden, followed by Tuesday’s friendly with France in Paris.

But to Rashford, it is all just another day’s work. “I didn’t learn much about myself from stepping in because I knew how I would react,” he said.

“If you don’t believe in yourself, you can’t expect other people to believe in you. I was confident going into the games. It’s just another step you take. Taking on the responsibility of being in that role is something you take pride in.

“None of it mattered as long as we got the trophy. In football you have to be ready for those moments.”

United boss Mourinho has shown his faith in the youngster this season, and has been rewarded for it.

“People have opinions about the manager but what he has done is clear. I’ve played a lot of games under him and have earned his trust, which is important for me and has got me to where I am now,” said Rashford.

“He lets you get on with it, make your own decisions, lets you mature REPORTS as a player and if he has to step in, he will. He has been there if I have needed him, and that is important for young players.

“The manager has made me take more responsibility. It is a good feeling when he puts you on those types of duties. All I have to do is keep practising to score more and create more.

“My preference is to play down the middle. Playing on the left creates a different picture in your mind. But it is a process and hopefully everything will come through when playing number nine.

“People have only seen me playing for one year and there are a lot of things they don’t know about me, and that I have to learn about myself.”

Rashford faces major competition for England, with Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy – although he is injured this week – and Jermain Defoe also jostling for position in Gareth Southgate’s front line.

“Of course it is difficult to break in. If it is not difficult then you know there is a problem because there are not enough top players,” he said.

“It’s massive watching these forwards, the likes of Harry, Jermain and Jamie. They are top quality to

Mourinho has helped me mature as a player

be around and it is massive for my development.” Rashford’s United team-mate Chris Smalling is sure that the striker has a golden future. “The world is his oyster,” said Smalling. “He can be one of the best. You forget how young he is, how few games he’s played. “He has got everything. He’s quick, strong and his temperament is fantastic. It’s that pace and movement. He’s a kid who wants to