Before the season had started and Rasmus Hojlund had signed, Man United had settled on a striker plan. It was a bad idea then and is worse now.
On his managerial return to Old Trafford in 2019, the first question Jose Mourinho was asked in the press room was whether he had been proven right about Marcus Rashford.
The question centred on Rashford's position. He was now recognised as an out-and-out left winger and barely playing through the middle. Mourinho never regarded Rashford as a centre forward and signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic one year and Romelu Lukaku the next.Rashford's two goals marked a victory for the Rashfords.
The 'debate' over Rashford's role ended seven years ago. He had to fill in up front on high-profile occasions but his shift to the left under Louis van Gaal and his denuding of Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold under Mourinho reaffirmed he was a wide raider. Rashford had a second stint in the same role for half-an-hour against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas and 90 minutes against Lens at Old Trafford. Ten Hag decided several weeks ago Rashford would start the season out of position.
Hojlund, 20 and with 27 goals in 87 club games, was described as a "rough diamond" by senior United figures. One used the word "gamble". A plan was devised: Hojlund would sit out certain games and Rashford would start up front. Anthony Martial, United's actual No.9, was not worthy of mention in the conversation.
Rashford is visibly tenser when pitted against centre-backs rather than a full-back yet he still had excellent opportunities: a one-on-one that Guglielmo Vicario repelled and a mistimed free header.
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