Manchester United

Gordon Strachan: 'Versatility could cost Marcus Rashford'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 09 February 2018

Gordon Strachan claims Marcus Rashford's ability to play in a number of different positions could harm his Manchester United career.

Gordon Strachan has claimed that Marcus Rashford's ability to play in a number of different positions could make it difficult for the attacker to cement a spot in Jose Mourinho's starting XI at Manchester United.

Rashford has made 37 appearances in all competitions for United this season, but the 20-year-old has largely struggled to hold down a regular spot in the team.

Indeed, the presence of Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku has made it tough for the England international to start matches in recent weeks.

Strachan, who played for United between 1984 and 1989, has suggested that Rashford's versatility is the problem.

"His problem is he can play in a few positions. At this moment he doesn't know what he's best at either," Strachan told Sky Sports News.

"And at Manchester United at the moment with Jose, he likes that big powerful striker up front to hold it up. I don't know if Marcus is that type of player.

"Can he play off the left and right? He certainly can. Can he play at number 10? I don't know. At that point you've got to find where your best position is. Some players go 'I can only play there' and some 'I can only play there'. But he can play in a lot of different positions."

Rashford has only managed four Premier League goals for United this season.