Marcus Rashford has noted that the rivalry for a starting place on the left hand side with Anthony Martial at Manchester United can be only seen as a positive thing.
The 19-year-old begun the 2017/18 campaign featuring on the left hand side, claiming an assist against West Ham United, while Martial came off the bench and scored in both of United’s opening two games. And the latter was duly handed a chance to start against Leicester City and impressed with a penetrative, ebullient performance, but it was Rashford this time around who came on to net the decisive goal before starting against Stoke City and claiming United’s equaliser just before half time.
United’s most recent win saw Martial start on the left flank and cause plenty of problems down FC Basel’s right hand side and Rashford, once again, came off the bench to add a late goal for Jose Mourinho’s men. The pair are working in lethal symbiosis, challenging each other in what is fast emerging as a productive rivalry and a champagne problem for the manager. Opponents have struggled to cope with the combined pace and fluidity offered by one, only to be bombarded further by the other during the latter stages.
And Rashford, speaking soon after the 3-0 win over FC Basel, noted that the rivalry for a starting spot is pushing the pair to improve every day.
“It’s difficult when you’re in and out of the team, but we have to find the positives out of it and I think we have both done that,” he said.
“I think the competition is always positive competition because we’re improving each other every day when we’re in training and in the games we’re pushing each other more and more.
“It’s a bit of a headache for the manager but it is a good headache to have.”
