Young gun sets sights on learning from Zlatan

ENGLAND striker Marcus Rashford expects to learn a lotfromZlatanIbrahimovic even if the Swede’s arrival at Manchester United might limit his first-team opportunities.

Rashford burst on to the scene last season, with the 18-year-old emerging from the youth ranks to earn a place in the first XI and an unexpected trip to Euro 2016.

But new United boss Jose Mourinho has strengthened his hand with the signing of Ibrahimovic, who scored with a bicycle kick four minutes into his first appearance against Galatasaray on Saturday, leaving Rashford to scrap for game time.

Time will tell how that works out, and the teenager believes simply sharing a dressing room with someone of Ibrahimovic’s stature will help him advance.

“We can definitely all learn from him while he is here, so we all need to take that chance,” Rashford said.

“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.”

Rashford’s rise might have come at a dizzying pace earlier this year, but he is happy to slow things down again as he looks to establish himself in the Old Trafford set-up.

He said: “I’m preparing for the new season now. There’s no need to rush into 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.

But Rashford is looking ahead with excitement after a full-strength United — in terms of personnel if not fitness — came from 2-1 down to see off their Turkish opponents 5-2.

He added: “It’s really important to get that first win together as a group, it’s great for us in the build-up to the season. There’s a lot of optimism, as that is only our second pre-season game as a full squad. It was the first game for some players. It is very exciting for both fans and players.”

WAYNE Rooney will continue playing for England for two more years, whether he is captain or not.

New England boss Sam Allardyce has remained tight-lipped over the Manchester United player’s future as Three Lions captain since his appointment.

Allardyce has said he will reveal his decision when the squad meet up for their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in September. However, Rooney has no intention of considering his international future for another two years, even if Allardyce hands the armband to someone else.

Rooney said: “I’ll carry on until the World Cup in 2018 and then I might have a decision to make. But, for the next two years, captain or not captain, I’ll turn up and be available to play if I am wanted.”