The Top Flight
Fansided

Manchester United: It’s now or never for Marcus Rashford after Zlatan injury

By Craig Pearson

Marcus Rashford of Manchester Unitedduring the UEFA Europa League quarter final match between RSC Anderlecht and Manchester United on April 13, 2017 at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford of Manchester Unitedduring the UEFA Europa League quarter final match between RSC Anderlecht and Manchester United on April 13, 2017 at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Marcus Rashford has been handed a golden opportunity at Manchester United thanks to the season-ending knee injury suffered by Zlatan Ibrahimovich.

Marcus Rashford has spend much of this season playing out of position on the Manchester United right wing. That’s due to the form and status of Zlatan Ibrahimovich, who has been outstanding in his debut season in England.

Ibrahimovich has scored 17 goals in the Premier League and has been the biggest success story of the Red Devils’ season. However, as Ibrahimovich has shined, others in United’s team have suffered.

One of those players would be Anthony Martial. Another would be Rashford who, after bursting onto the scene last season as a striker, has had to accept an unfamiliar role out wide. Despite that, Rashford has accepted his new role and continued to work hard.

That role is not the future for Rashford, however. The 19-year-old is clearly more effective as a striker than as a winger. Mourinho just doesn’t believe the youngster is ready to dispossess Ibrahimovich yet. Which is fair enough.

More from The Top Flight

However, stories of the likes of Antoine Griezmann joining the club should be very concerning to Rashford. If Zlatan is the present, and Rashford the future, then what is 26-year-old superstar Griezmann?

If he signs, he’ll be another in Rashford’s way. That’s what he will be. More stints out on the wing. And whilst Ibrahimovich is a 35-year-old veteran, Griezmann would be around for years and years to come.

So it is up to Rashford now, with Ibrahimovich out injured, to show Mourinho that he is ready to lead the line for United full time. This is his opportunity. If Rashford doesn’t take this chance now, and Mourinho does sign a player like Griezmann, it could set Rashford back years.

The Englishman might even end up having to leave Old Trafford in order to be a starting striker somewhere else. Rashford has shown in recent games that he might just be ready. It’s still a bit of the unknown because he is so young. And Mourinho isn’t one for risks on youth, after all.

Next: Ibrahimovich to miss rest of the season with knee injury

But Rashford is United’s best striker option as things stand right now. He should finally get a good run of games in his natural position during the season’s run in. If he takes it with both hands, Mourinho might just re-assess his plans for the summer.

If he doesn’t, then Mourinho will sign somebody who can do what he requires upfront. It’s already now or never for Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.

Home/Editorials