Marcus Rashford can be Manchester United’s most important player, in the number 10 position

Marcus Rashford should look to solidify his place in a Manchester United side at last for good. He can become the most important player of the Premier League title challengers, only if he plays in the number 10 position.

Marcus Rashford’s ability is sensational to go with potential with that is astronomic. The Manchester United academy product is now being considered amongst the great young talents in world football alongside, Kylian Mbappe of Paris-Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona and ahead, proven by this year’s Golden Boy vote, of Gabriel Jesus – now finishing in the top 3 two years on the bounce.

Despite Manchester United’s great start to the season, their performances have since tailed off. Paul Pogba’s injury has undoubtedly been a massive blow. He is the one man capable of linking the midfield to attack and transitioning between the two so quickly.

The injury of Pogba has seen Mourinho switch to his pragmatic style of play once again. Similar to how he did towards the back-end of last season when the French midfielder again injured, missed 3 games and Zlatan Ibrahimovic picked up an ACL knee injury.

When Mourinho switches to this pragmatic style of play, the team becomes strong defensively but monotonous going forward. Mourinho doesn’t want his attack to be turgid, in fact quite the opposite. Whilst he’s waiting for the likes of Pogba or Fellaini to return, he wants his teams to have a solid base and counter rapidly with pace and power.

Why Rashford for the number 10 position then?

Manchester United’s slump in performances have been mirrored by the sudden and radical drop of the form of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. And whilst the Armenian’s confidence is at an all-time low, he needs to be taken out the firing line. Especially when the number 10 position is so vital to the counter-attack and the style of play Mourinho wants to play – the wingers track back leaving the number 10 and the forward to carry the ball out, relieving the defensive pressure and starting an attack. Mkhitaryan’s passing accuracy in the last 6 games averaging just 74%. With lows of 59% and 62%, giving the ball away that regularly will only create more pressure on the defence.

Juan Mata is United’s most creative player and naturally suited to that number 10 position. However, whilst the team are in this pragmatic limbo, Mata simply doesn’t have the pace required to carry the ball 50/60 yards on the break. Jesse Lingard could do this, however, as shown most recently in the space of a week against Swansea and Spurs, his finishing is too inconsistent and not clinical enough to punish teams.

The only player capable of filling that void and stepping up into the number 10 position, is Marcus Rashford. That is not a suggestion simply just because I’ve run out of names. Rashford has history in that role. If you analyze  some of his strengths and attributes, they suggest he could be immense there.

Marcus has always wanted to be Manchester United’s number 10

Paul McGuinness, former United under-18 coach who worked with Rashford when he came through the youth set-up said, “He would play up front but he was always wanting to be the clever number 10.” This shows Rashford knew what it took to be a number 10. He had the intelligence to play the role from a young age. McGuinness also went on to say that the movement of the Wythenshawe-lad elevated him above his peers. A key attribute when playing the number 10 position – dropping into the hole to collect the ball or dragging a defender away to create space for others.

"“It was Marcus’ movement that set him apart. His running was very smooth and elegant. But it wasn’t just his ability. He was self-driven and curious. He always had a trick, and practised any chance he got. Even when he was picked up to go training, the coaches would frequently find him knocking a ball on to the roof of a shed or a garage and trying to control it as it came down.”Paul McGuinness, former Man Utd under-18 manager."

Colin Little, Paul’s assistant, also spent time with him to make him more “goal obsessed.” Little helped Rashford with his back to goal, his first touch, and his body position. These are all ingredients that will help him prosper in the number 10 position. A goalscoring number 10 – something the Red Devils haven’t seen since a prime Wayne Rooney.

Rashford can’t help but return to his roots, wandering into the number 10 position at times

 The 20-year-old has shown glimpses this season of his ability to play the role, floating into the position occasionally.

For example, in the Carabao Cup first round tie versus Burton. Rashford’s second goal came from dropping into the spacious hole, 5 yards outside the box. He quickly turned, unleashing a fierce shot against the post and in (1:40).

Another example was against Huddersfield where once again he showed his slick movement off the ball. He peeled off Lukaku, received the ball from Herrera and turned in one motion. Finally slipping it through to Mkhitaryan who was eventually called offside (2:37). Moments later, he dropped 10 yards deeper outside the box into space and received a fizzed pass off Matic. After a great first touch, he slotted Lukaku through one-on-one who unfortunately slipped (3:08).

Time to grab a spot in this United side, for good

At such a young age he has the intelligence to know when to drop to collect the ball and when to turn and run in behind – his decision-making will develop with experience. This makes him a 9 and a half. Similar to what Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie described themselves as back in 2012/13.

Rashford could do with this opportunity himself also. Despite playing 32 games last season, half of them (16) was a substitute coming on. He and Martial have seemed to be on a rotation this season regarding the left-wing position.

In total, Rashford has only started 57% of his games under Jose Mourinho. Since Jose likes to the repetition of a powerful spine, once Rashford gets in the XI, he may stay there for a very long time.

Next: Jesse Lingard deserves love, not hate from Manchester United fans

Rashford turned 20 last week and pictures of him as a young boy did the rounds on social media. An image that caught my eye, was of him in a Manchester United shirt labeled “Rashford 10” on the back. Perhaps it is his destiny and a case of when, not if.