Marcus Rashford remains vital to Manchester United despite not starting a game since November, says Jose Mourinho
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Jose Mourinho has assured Marcus Rashford he is still a key figure in his Manchester United plans.
Rashford has not started a game for United since their 1-1 draw at home to West Ham in the Premier League on November 27.
The 19-year-old England striker has been on the bench for United's eight games since, and is unlikely to start for the Reds today at West Ham.
But Mourinho has assured Rashford, who burst on to the scene last season under Louis van Gaal with 11 goals in the second half of the campaign, that he still has faith in him.
(Photo: Getty)
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"He's always there," said Mourinho. "He's always selected, he's on the team, he's on the bench when he doesn't start.
"He comes on and he has different kinds of experiences.
"What happened to him last season was really fast and was a consequence of a situation we are not having this season.
"He's fine. He's going in the right direction. He's a good kid, a good professional with the right mentality.
"He's always ready to learn and improve. This kid is going in the right direction."
(Photo: 2016 Getty Images)
(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
Asked if it was difficult for Rashford to accept being on the bench, having been an automatic pick in the second half of last season, Mourinho said: "No. He's intelligent.
"He knows he's learning every day and understands that by being with the team, being in training with the team and even being on the bench, playing sometimes when we are playing counter-attacking football like today he he comes and needs to open spaces.
"He's on the pitch with so many difficult situations and I've no problem with him at all.
"He's very good, a proper professional. No problems at all. I pick him because he can play in so many positions. I like to rotate attacking players. He's always there and I think he's in the developing process.
"The biggest trust I give him is when I told you [the media] that I don't want another striker. I don't want one. Why? Because I have Rashford."