What does the arrival of Jose Mourinho mean for Marcus Rashford?

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“Marcus who?” uttered supporters across the land as the Manchester United line-up was read out ahead of their crucial Europa League tie against FC Midtjylland back in February. Even United supporters could be forgiven for not knowing who this unknown striker, that would be leading the line in one of their biggest matches of the season, was.

Somehow, in what was certainly the nadir of Louis Van Gaal’s Old Trafford tenure, his side went into the game requiring a victory to rescue them from the ignominy of elimination at the hands of a club that had only been founded in 1999, the year of United’s famous treble win. To make matters worse, Anthony Martial, the man who had been one of few bright sparks in an otherwise depressing campaign, had picked up an injury during the pre-match warm up and would be ruled out with just minutes notice. The man chosen to replace him: 18-year-old debutant Marcus Rashford.

Since that moment the Wythenshawe-raised striker hasn’t looked back. His form has been sparkling, and a call-up to the England squad ahead of the European Championships was the ultimate reward. But back to that winter evening at Old Trafford. A Rashford-inspired United romped to a 5-1 victory, the debutant scoring two second-half goals in front of the Stretford End to cap the perfect start to his United career. He had displayed confidence way beyond his years throughout, but many remained sceptical. It’s all well and good scoring in the Europa League against Midtjylland but let’s see how we fares in the Premier League, they said.

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Just three days later Manchester United faced Arsenal at home in the Premier League. With Martial still out, Van Gaal kept his faith in Rashford, giving him his league debut. Two more goals followed, and from there on he was unstoppable. He kept his place in the United side until the end of the campaign, scoring important goals aplenty. A winner in the Manchester Derby had proved that he was a man for the big occasion, and by the time the season was up Rashford had added a further three goals to his tally.

The international call-up followed, with yet another debut goal in a 2-1 win over Australia. Amazingly, having been nowhere near the first-team picture at Manchester United at Christmas time, Rashford found himself in Roy Hodgson’s 23-man England squad for the Euros. However, he did not get much game time in France, with late substitute appearances against Wales and Iceland the only opportunities afforded to him.

On his return to Old Trafford, Rashford was greeted by a new manager in the shape of Jose Mourinho. For all of the misgivings about Van Gaal, one thing you could not deny was that he was willing to give youth a chance. This is not something Mourinho is famed for, and although Rashford is now a senior member of the United squad, many supporters wonder whether the current crop of youngsters will be tossed aside in favour of instant success. So what does the future hold for the forward, and can he maintain his form under the new manager?

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It is important that Mourinho remains patient with Rashford as despite his prolific streak he is still extremely raw. There will inevitably be times throughout this season when he struggles for goals as opposition defenders work out the way to negate the threat that he offers. It will be tempting, at such moments, for Mourinho to turn to Martial and new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a more consistent goalscorer, but this will do nothing for Rashford’s confidence.

Strip away the hype and it is clear to see that there is still a lot for the youngster to learn. However, not 19 until Halloween, Rashford’s current attributes stand him in good stead. If Mourinho is willing to be patient and work with him to improve as a footballer then he could have one hell of a player on his hands. Alternatively, he could end up a squad player, devoid of confidence and desperately searching for a way out. The experience of Adnan Januzaj is certainly a sincere warning to both Rashford and his new manager about what can happen to a highly-rated United youngster.

As a Manchester-born prospect, raised just a few miles down the road from Old Trafford, Rashford has already developed a special bond with supporters. The talk of there being very few United followers in Manchester is nonsense, and there is nothing that United supporters love more than cheering on one of their own. In Danny Welbeck they caught a glimpse of their first ‘local boy done good’ in years before he was snatched away by Arsenal, and Rashford has already successfully won over the support of the Stretford End. Mourinho must tap into this. The patent joy and enthusiasm that scoring for United gives to Rashford is something that he will not find elsewhere, regardless of the millions he may spend during this transfer window, and therefore he must put his faith in the youngster or risk the wrath of United supporters.

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Of course, it is not expected that he will start every game, and with the other attackers that Mourinho has at his disposal it would be foolish for him to hang his hopes on an 18-year-old. What Rashford has earned himself is a chance. Lining up alongside Ibrahimovic is something that he would never have dreamt of this time last year, and if he can pick up a few things from the Swede along the way then his game will only improve.

Rashford’s first touch can be poor at times, and some of his goals have been slightly fortunate, such as the goal against Australia, but there is definitely huge potential. Wayne Rooney has already remarked how impressed he has been with the attitude of his teammate, which suggests he is aware of the fact that he is far from the complete package and still has a lot to learn from those around him. If Rashford can continue his progression then it could be a successful first season for Mourinho. The addition of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, alongside Ibrahimovic, has spiced up United’s attacking options and the current side certainly possesses the potential for goals.

A big season awaits for both club and player. There is much hope on both behalves, with United hoping to challenge for the title for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, and big things expected from Rashford. There will be peaks and troughs throughout the course of the season, but it is imperative that patience is applied by all.

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