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Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand hits back at Jose Mourinho over “lost” Marcus Rashford claim


Rio Ferdinand disagrees with Jose Mourinho’s claim that Marcus Rashford looks “completely lost” when he plays as on the right wing.

But the Manchester United legend concedes Rashford is “more comfortable” on the left flank, where he is able to cut in on his stronger right foot.

Rashford, 23, scored 21 goals and laid on 15 assists during a fantastic season for the Red Devils, although debate over his best position continues to rage.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has frequently deployed the Englishman on either flank as well as at centre-forward, while Gareth Southgate is facing a similar dilemma over where to utilise him at Euro 2020.

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There is still a question mark over Rashford's best position for club and country
There is still a question mark over Rashford’s best position for club and country

Former United boss Mourinho believes Southgate has a wealth of options who are best on the left wing, but accused Rashford of being unable to play any other role.

“I think (Jack) Grealish is untouchable and the best position for Grealish is coming from the left which creates a situation which is, for me, Rashford can only play there,” Mourinho told talkSPORT on Friday.

“I think when Rashford plays on the right he is completely lost. His dynamics on the right are totally broken, he doesn’t find it. He’s very good on the left, attacking spaces.”

While Ferdinand agrees Rashford is best on the left flank, he insists he is also capable of troubling defences as a right-winger.

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“I don’t think he looks broken, I just feel that he looks more comfortable on the left-hand side,” Ferdinand told Metro .

“But I’d say the same about [Raheem] Sterling. Sterling looks better on the left, Grealish probably looks better on the left.

“I just think it’s more about Gareth Southgate talking to the players and making them understand that it’s a squad game.

Where is Marcus Rashford’s best position for Manchester United and England? Have your say in the comments.

“There’s going to be rotation, people are going to play out of position. But for the betterment of the team, make sure we go out there and we’re all positive.”

Despite Mourinho and Ferdinand’s claims that Rashford is most effective on the left, the Three Lions star posted excellent goal involvement numbers from the opposite flank this season.

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Rashford scored or assisted 19 times in 31 appearances while playing on the left, while he grabbed six goals and two assists in eight games from the right, according to statistics experts transfermarkt .

Surprisingly, he was less effective in front of goal when operating as a striker, picking up just four goals in 15 appearances up front. But his creative ability continued to shine through and Rashford notched six assists as a No. 9.

Rashford offered his own opinion on his best position earlier this year, diplomatically suggesting he is prepared for any attacking role.

He said: “Throughout my academy days, I always tried to train myself to play in all three of those positions up front, just to give myself a better chance of getting into the first team.”





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