Rashford may have scored three times in just six Premier League starts, but Tony Cascarino beleives he is struggling under Mourinho.
talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino says Jose Mourinho’s tactics are holding back the development of Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.
The 19-year-old broke into the first team unexpectedly in the second half of last season, thrust into the starting line-up against Midtjylland in the Europa League and scoring twice before going on to prove himself at both domestic and international level in a whirlwind breakthrough year.
However, while he was utilised primarily as a lone striker under Louis Van Gaal, Mourinho has preferred to shift Rashford into a wider area this season to compensate for the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, leading to a reduced goal output and a series of comparatively quiet performances.
And Cascarino believes the former Chelsea manager, who has a less than impressive record when it comes to blooding young players, is damaging the potential of the most exciting talent to emerge out of Carrington for over two decades.
“I don’t like the way he’s handled Marcus Rashford,” Cascarino told talkSPORT.
“I just thought – start of the season, you bring Zlatan in, whatever you do get the kid in alongside him. Just give him a chance to show how good he can be.
“I’ve seen Rashford deteriorate quite a lot this year, and there is no other reason because he has been taken out of the firing line.
“Last year he was absolutely sensational at the end of the season for United and now I am looking at a young lad that has been given a new deal, but been taken out of the firing line, not playing much football now.
“He came on for a sub yesterday [in England’s friendly draw against Spain], albeit not for a long time but he looked completely out of sorts.”
However, the stats do not appear to back up the viewpoint that Rashford’s career is at risk due to the pragmatism of his manager.
According to WhoScored, the teenager is averaging more shots (1.8), key passes (0.6), and dribbles (1) per game than last season, raising hopes that plying his trade in a more unfamiliar role can make him a more rounded player in the long-term.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
