Mourinho reassures Rashford by declaring 'I don't want another striker

The England international has seen his game time at Manchester United limited this season, but he remains an important part of their plans

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists he will not be looking for another striker during the January transfer window, with Marcus Rashford still an important part of his plans.

The England international has slipped down the pecking order this season after enjoying a breakthrough campaign in 2015/16.

Rashford has, however, been restricted to only eight Premier League starts this term.

He has found the target just four times, with the last of those efforts coming against Leicester City on September 24.

Speculation has linked him with a loan switch away from Old Trafford, and Mourinho with a move for a more experienced option to challenge the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney for starting berths.

The United boss has, however, sought to reassure Rashford that still has a part to play in both the present and future and that no additions will be made over the coming weeks.

He said: “The biggest trust I give him is when I told you that I don’t want another striker. I don’t want one. Why? Because I have Rashford.

“He’s always there. 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 that 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.”

Mourinho added on a player who only made his senior debut in February: “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 and playing sometimes when we play counter-attacking football.

“I’ve no problem with him at all. He’s a proper professional.

“I pick him because he can play in so many positions. I like to rotate attacking players.”