Young Julian’s so keen on Kel
MANCHESTER CITY striker Kelechi Iheanacho (below) could be playing for a manager next season who is only NINE YEARS older than him.
Nigeria’s Iheanacho, 20, is being touted as a loan target for Hoffenheim.
And their boss is Julian Nagelsmann, 29, who moved into coaching when his playing career was ended by injury.
He has been named as Coach of the Year in Germany after leading Hoffenheim into Champions League contention.
But the encouraging news for Rashford, 19, is that England legend Owen believes he has the attributes to be world class.
Like former United striker Owen, Rashford became an England frontman as a teenager.
And the challenge the Old Trafford starlet faces is outlined today by BT Sport’s football expert Owen.
The goal-getter – who made his name at Liverpool – said ahead of today’s game against Swansea at Old Trafford: “Rashford is going to be the No.1 choice at United for the rest of the season.
“But to be that, you have to be one of the best four or five centre-forwards in the world. Can he be that?
“The answer is that he has to be and that means scoring 30-odd goals a season.
“After Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury, Rashford has got his chance but Jose Mourinho might think, ‘Do I need to buy a striker?’ – to be honest, the striker situation at Manchester United is murky.
“Wayne Rooney has been injured a lot, Ibrahimovic is injured now, Rashford is young and Anthony Martial is in and around there.
“You would think they would probably have to buy.
“Rashford is not at the crossroads but Manchester United have a decision to make.
“But do I see a world-class player there in Marcus? I do.
“He has got speed, a good t o uch , he is direct and fearless.
“He’s a player who gets you off your s eat, with attributes to die for.”
And Owen, 37, said: “It’s harder for young strikers these days when teams are playing with just one up front. If I was playing now, I’m not sure just one striker would suit me.” Owen, meanwhile, fears United will lose goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid this summer. Speculation has once again ramped up in recent weeks that the La Liga outfit are prepared to make an offer for the player they came close to signing in the summer of 2015. And Owen, who left Liverpool to play for Madrid before returning to England to play for Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke, said: “I played for Real Madrid but to come home to your country is always in you.
“And if he goes there, it will be hard for United to find someone as good.
“But to be fair, I think United’s No.2 keeper Sergio Romero is very good, so they shouldn’t be too worried.
“Spanish players, though, and also players from South America, will always want to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. They see them as the two biggest clubs in the world.”
Owen is hoping that United win the Europa League this season to give England five clubs in the Champions League next season.
If they do, he then wants Manchester City and Liverpool to join Chelsea and Tottenham as the top- four qualifiers from the Premier League for the Europeam Cup.
The former England striker believes Arsenal will miss out.
Owen said: “I don’t think Arsenal will get there this season. I would like to see City and Liverpool make it – and United win the Europa League.
“We would then have five strong teams in the Champions League and we could have a right go.
“It has been painful watching the Spanish domination for the last few years.”
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