Marcus Rashford has to be more clinical if he wants to lead the line for Manchester United, claims pundit Robbie Mustoe.
The England international squandered a glorious chance in the first half of United's 2-0 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday night and failed to head home to give the Red Devils all three points against Newcastle last weekend.
Erik ten Hag opted for Rashford over Cristiano Ronaldo as his out-and-out center forward for the visit of Spurs but Mustoe believes he has to convert his chances to lock the No. 9 position in the team.
'Marcus Rashford, Marcus Rashford. If he's gonna be the No. 9 that everyone wants at Old Trafford he's got to take some chances,' Mustoe told NBC Sports.
'He missed one late against Newcastle on Sunday, a header that he should have scored, and he had the best chance of this first half that again he didn't find one of the corners.
'[Commentator] Lee Dixon talked about it, and I agree with him, that at that moment, you've got to be hitting one of those corners and that's happened too many times now.
'But other than that, United's attacking play has been pretty good.'
Ten Hag's side did finally make the breakthrough in the 47th minute through Fred with Bruno Fernandes doubling their lead 12 minutes later.
Despite not breaking the deadlock until the second half Mustoe was full of praise of the Red Devils' intent in attack.
'I think what you're seeing is a fully committed Manchester United attacking face of them at the moment,' he added.
'This is what Ten hag wants I think ultimately to be on the front foot, to be controlling possession, to be attacking with width on both sides. We've seen that, I think it's a great tempo towards their attacks.
'We all know what the problem is against Spurs, spurs are great at soaking stuff up and counterattacking and that's very much what happened and will continue to happen.
'I just kind of like the fact that Old Trafford is enjoying this, there's a good atmosphere there and this is what Ten Hag wants to do.
'And maybe there are some bits that aren't quite great, that's OK, maybe they'll adjust that in the market at some point. But I kind of like this look of Ten Hag's United.'
United sit in fifth place in the Premier League standings following victory over Spurs, eight points off leaders Arsenal.
tindiklmtz
0
ten Hag forget about this guy's go and buy PSV striker Gakpo, ATM win filex
SMHellas
0
Rashford is playing great creating lots of problems for opponent. He’s shooting weii but look at how many goalkeeper saved in last two games also in Europa league.
Where his shots are aimed, even League Two keepers save them
SMHellas
0
When you look at the chances Rashford has missed recently, you can see most of his shots are too much to the centre of the goal and at a good height for a keeper to get good contact. Against Spurs, he twice had the goal for the taking and shot at the middle of the goal at mid-goal height. Easy pickings for a keeper. He needs to get his angles better, go for the corners and get the ball either higher or lower to make it harder for a keeper. Then his goal return may improve
keaadt
0
Rashford is playing great creating lots of problems for opponent. He’s shooting weii but look at how many goalkeeper saved in last two games also in Europa league.
bargeole
1
rashford is a branch of trees that grows in forest fruitless
MANCHESTER_GUY
0
at some point if Ronaldo is been fed as much Rashford is, all those would have been goals, Ten hag has to understand that Rashford is better on left wing. Don't get me wrong, Ronaldo has to have minutes to be better unlike the way it is
[image]
Oga rest. He can’t cope with ten hags systems and we need to understand that. He as a player who owes everything to the club should be focused on helping the team when called upon
kondwaniMbewe
2
at some point if Ronaldo is been fed as much Rashford is, all those would have been goals, Ten hag has to understand that Rashford is better on left wing. Don't get me wrong, Ronaldo has to have minutes to be better unlike the way it is
CassidyFoloshi
0
The boy is too wasteful, no wonder any good attacking team beats us. U can't av a number 9 who wastes such chances. Nah Bruno is average
Fewbclpsty
0
Yes but he ll be very soon...😂
doaamnpy
1
Unluck not to get a goal rashford
jezabdnpyz
7
Rashford Is Not A Centre Forward.., Not A Natural Goal Poacher. Best Position Is At The Wings Running Into Opposition Defense. United Top Priority Is To Get A Top Class Striker In The Next Two Transfer Windows.
EmileeSevunKolor
4
Man Utd attempted 19 shots in the first half against Spurs, the most any team has managed in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game this season.⚔️