STEP UP TO THE MARCUS

Captain Marvel Robson urges Rashford & Martial to become 20-goal-a-season strike stars for Mourinho next term

MARCUS RASHFORD has been told to ‘step up to the mark’ and become a 20-goal-a-season striker. Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has made signing a new striker his top priority this summer. But club great Bryan Robson reckons Rashford is more than capable of relieving pressure on the club’s midfielders – if he can become more clinical in front of goal. After a spectacular breakthrough season under Louis van Gaal, goals dried up for the young England star as he managed only five goals in 32 Premier League appearances. He did rediscover his form towards the finish, helping United on their way to Europa League glory. Now Robson expects Rashford to lead United’s attack next season, alongside Anthony Martial. But ‘Captain Marvel’ warned both must be better if they are to turn Old Trafford into a fortress again. “They just need to be bit more clinical with their goalscoring,” he said, reflecting on United’s frustrating form last season which saw Mourinho’s side surrender 23 points at home, with 10 draws and a defeat at Old Trafford. “The young lads – especially Rashford and Martial – will improve because they’ll be another year older with more experience. “For Marcus, he’s scored loads of goals at every level he has gone into. When he first came in he was brilliant. But young lads do that. They have a bit of a dip. He has done well, but he can do better. “As Mourinho said, when he scored the goal at Celta Vigo, he’d been out on the training ground practising and practising. “We know Marcus is there, but now we want him to go to the next step. His and Anthony’s aim should be to get over 20 goals next season. “If they do that, it takes the pressure off other people. Especially if Zlatan Ibrahimovic is OK and does stay. It also takes the pressure away from the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata and all the midfielders. “Zlatan is the only one who, when he gets a chance, puts it away. Juan’s missed a few, Martial and Rashford definitely have. Wayne Rooney hasn’t been in great goalscoring form, so what you’ve got to improve that area. “If they can, those draws will definitely turn into wins.” Competition among the strikers has been key to United’s success in the past. Robson believes that regardless of who Mourinho brings in this summer, Rashford and Martial must thrive under the challenge. “If you look at our record over the years when we’ve been most successful under Sir Alex Ferguson, we’ve always had four good strikers. “Then it’s up to the strikers to decide who’s the best. They’ll have a competition with each other because they want to be in the team. “That’s what Rashford and Martial have to compete against. That’s what makes a top club – real competition between the players.”