ERIK TEN HAG has been warned Marcus Rashford won’t get back amongst the goals if he’s continued to be deployed on the wing.
The Manchester United hitman has often found himself on the flanks during Ten Hag’s short reign at Old Trafford and has struggled as a result.
Although he’s found the back of the net five times in 11 appearances this season, Rashford hasn’t scored in the Premier League in his last six outings – a drought former Red Devil Dwight Yorke attributes to him being played out of position.
He told Lord Ping: “Rashford is 24 and he needs to be playing consistently as a striker to score the goals we know he is capable of.
He said: “If you look at my career, or Thierry Henry, as strikers we started out in the game from the wide attacking areas of the pitch before becoming truly comfortable in that central role.
‘The No.9 is a specialist role. I feel sorry for Rashford because he’s played on the right, on the left and through the middle.
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“You don’t master that position unless you’re playing there every week.
“A striker develops his senses and movements through playing the role.
“What I’m seeing in Rashford is what I saw in myself at one stage.”
Yorke reckons Rashford would ramp up his goal output if Ten Hag were to give him reassurances he’s his main man.
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He said: “The best thing a manager can tell you, based on my experience, is that you are my No.1 striker.”
“Having the confidence of your manager and knowing that you will be leading the line is massive for any striker.
“When you’re playing week in, week out, the better you become. It’s a simple solution.
“I’m glad that he is starting to play there more regularly and I hope that Ten Hag doesn’t start pushing him to the left or right.
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“I know he can do a job in those positions because he’s that good, but the central role is the role that he will blossom in.”
Rashford and his United team-mates will be back in action on Thursday night, locking horns with Moldovan side Sheriff in their penultimate Europa League Group E match.
