Erik ten Hag has been told by former Liverpool forward John Barnes that Manchester United must continue to use Marcus Rashford out wide and ignore temptations to play him through the middle.
Rashford came through the United academy when Louis van Gaal was in charge and burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old playing centre-forward, with his lightening quick pace taking advantage of defences playing a high line and score eight goals in 18 games in his first half season.
Rashford's returns for United have fluctuated since then - the England international broke the 20-goal barrier in the 2019/20 season and the following term but managed only five goals in all competitions in a difficult campaign for the club under Ralf Rangnick.
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The 25-year-old has found form again under Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman's appointment in the summer. Debates about Rashford's best position have remained ongoing this season but it is generally considered he is best used coming off the left flank to use his right foot.
He has been used across the forward line by Ten Hag but appears to have made the left wing position his own in recent weeks, with five goals in as many games.
With United in need of a new striker after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, Barnes says Rashford must stay on the wing. “Rashford will be a fantastic player for Manchester United," Barnes told BonusCodeBets.
“Rashford needs to focus on playing in those wide positions and coming inside to affect the game. He’s not a centre forward. That’s not his game. I'm pleased for him because he went through a sticky patch last year which was because of the disharmony at Man Utd.”
United are currently chasing Wout Weghorst, Burnley's striker who is on loan at Besiktas, in a loan deal.
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