Jose Mourinho’s previous remarks about Marcus Rashford have gained renewed attention following the forward’s difficulties in Manchester United’s opening match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In Monday night’s fixture, United faced a challenging opponent in Wolves, struggling to breach their defense. Eventually, they secured a 1-0 victory through a goal from Raphael Varane.
Because of injuries to Anthony Martial and new signing Rasmus Hojlund, Erik ten Hag had no choice but to deploy Rashford as the striker.
However, the 25-year-old struggled to leave a mark and was substituted in the second half, making way for Scott McTominay.
After Rashford’s poor showing, Mourinho’s comments from 2019 have resurfaced again.
Back then, Mourinho gave his views that Rashford is not suited to play as the centre striker for United.
Whilst working as a pundit for Sky Sports, he said: “He is young but he is experienced.
“One thing is you are young and you do not have enough minutes, one thing is you are young and you never play, another is you are young and you play since you are 18.
“At 21 years old he has had more matches in; the Premier League, in the national team, in the World Cup, in the Euros, in the Champions League and the Europa League, than some players who are 24, 25. For me the points are not his age, the points are his qualities.”
Jose Mourinho on Marcus Rashford as a No. 9 in 2019. pic.twitter.com/Maf2grgwOK
— . (@sarcasticnerd0) August 15, 2023
Mourinho continued: “For me, he is potentially a very good player, he is a very good player in some models of play, he is a very good player in some positions. As a target man or as a No.9 I don’t think he has these 30 goals which a top striker has.
“For me who can’t get better as a No.9. For me, he can get better and better and better playing the way they did today – playing from the left side.
“But, playing as the target man in matches for Manchester United [he needs to be] dominant and playing against defensive teams, against low blocks, I think it is difficult for him.”
Rashford and United will be back in action this weekend as they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.