Marcus Rashford has told Erik ten Hag where he prefers to play in attack following Manchester United’s win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Forest at Old Trafford, with Rashford opening the scoring and setting up Anthony Martial for the second goal, before Fred added the third late on.
Much has been made of the 25-year-old’s return to form this season, with 10 goals and four assists in 21 games so far, in addition to the three goals he scored for England at the World Cup in Qatar.
There is still a debate over what his best position is however, with Rashford used equally as a left-winger and centre-forward.
He started out wide against Forest but moved up top once Martial was subbed off, and the question of his preferred role was put to him after the match.
‘I think it depends on opposition, it depends on the personality you’re playing against,’ Rashford told Amazon Prime.
‘More often than not I prefer to play on the left but if there’s a weakness in the middle or if there’s a certain player I feel I can exploit I like to have the freedom to move and do that.
‘I feel comfortable in those positions, and I want to score goals. Every forward has a number they want to try and reach.
‘For me it’s to score more than I’ve ever scored in a season so for me I think it’s 22, 23. I need to try and keep scoring and affecting the games.’
United are currently in the market for a new forward following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and the continued struggles of Jadon Sancho.
Cody Gakpo was heavily linked but is now on his way to Liverpool instead, though with Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho in the squad, Ten Hag’s priority ought to be for a centre-forward rather than another winger.
The win tonight keeps United fifth in the table, but they’re now just one point behind Tottenham with a game in hand over Antonio Conte’s side following their draw at Brentford on Boxing Day.
‘We’re winning a lot more football games and our level has been a lot higher. Happy with how were developing and hope we can keep kicking on,’ Rashford added.
‘It’s a completely different mindset to last season, a different team playing different football. I don’t know if it is as good as I’ve ever been playing but I’m definitely enjoying it.
‘For me, when you’re not in the team and coming on there is a different mindset and you have to think about making an impact and you’re not sure when you get another chance or another goal. But I’m enjoying what I’m doing at the minute.’
SOURCE: metro.co.uk