Marcus Rashford’s recent form with England proves his worth to Manchester United

Rashford looked spectacular in England’s two friendlies against Spain and Switzerland, scoring the Three Lions lone goal in a 1-0 win over Switzerland and also netting in a 2-1 loss to the Spaniards.

It’s become very clear that England manager Gareth Southgate thinks highly of Marcus Rashford, saying that the 20-year old compares to Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age. His recent form for his country both in the World Cup and in friendlies has solidified Rashford a starting spot on England for many years to come. Although he didn’t play a ton in Russia, Rashford showed the ability to create chances and really poses the threat of a true center-forward.

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Rashford deserves to play

Despite his impressive play on the international stage, Rashford has played just 122 minutes through four matches with Manchester United this season. He’s suspended for the next three Premier League matches after headbutting Burnley defender Phil Bardsley and receiving a straight red.

Despite this, Jose Mourinho has barely used the talented striker this year. He started the first game of the season against Leicester City until Lukaku replaced him early in the second half. Mourinho has turned to Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez instead of Rashford, which isn’t necessarily hard to understand. But with Rashford’s outstanding form with his country recently, I really do believe Rashford should start playing more for United.

Lukaku and Sanchez are both great attackers, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying Rashford deserves to play the full 90 every game, but he definitely has proven his worth internationally and deserves the opportunity to play a healthy amount of minutes for the Red Devils.

Rashford has voiced to English media that he is determined to stay and fight for his spot in the starting XI with United, despite Premier League legend Jamie Carragher saying the young striker should leave Manchester United and go play elsewhere.

His contract will end next summer, therefore he should reconsider his future with the club at that point if he doesn’t see more playing time. In the end, it doesn’t matter that Rashford is 20-years old. The England international made his debut for United at 18-years old and has flashed glimpses of brilliance at Old Trafford over the last few years. He’s netted 17 times in 81 appearances for United.

He is determined to prove his worth

Like I mentioned above, he’s flashed glimpses of brilliance. But consistency has been an issue for Rashford. Mourinho has claimed several times to the media that he has total faith that Rashford can turn into one of the best strikers in the world.

It will be difficult for Rashford to break through and start, but after all, Mourinho did give him the number 10. There is something to be said about that considering Mourinho does take numbers very seriously. While Rashford was finding the back of the net for England in the past week, Lukaku was also scoring for Belgium. It will definitely be hard for the 20-year old to start over Lukaku, but if he can become more consistent he will see more playing time.

He is an electric and physical attacker who possesses world-class skill. But he has struggled to finish at times; something he is really working at, evident by his form with England in the last two friendlies. I believe if he can also become more versatile and show the ability to play all across the front whether it’s on the right or left flank or in the center where he’s comfortable, that will also open up more opportunities for him.

When he does get the chances to play whether it’s off the bench or in a starting spot, he must make the most of these opportunities. If he can, Mourinho will start to have more belief in the youngster.

As a kid who was born in Manchester, there wouldn’t be anything more Marcus Rashford would want then to star for his hometown club after coming up through the academy since the age of seven.

It’s definitely possible if he can capitalize more when he’s on the pitch.