Marcus Rashford will become 'the complete package', says former Manchester United striker Andy Cole
Cole believes Rashford will become a better striker after playing in his current role on the wing.
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole believes Marcus Rashford will become "the full package" after playing on the wing.
Jose Mourinho tends to deploy Romelu Lukaku as the main striker with the 20-year-old out wide on either flank, but Cole insisted the experience will make Rashford a better and more complete striker once he is given the opportunity to be the main focus of United's attack.
"I look at him at the moment, he's scoring goals and he's bringing a lot more things to his game," Cole told ESPN FC.
"I think he will end up as a centre-forward," he added. "I just think at the moment having Lukaku in the team and obviously Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] coming back as well, I think it's good.
"He will learn off the left because when he becomes a centre-forward he will have the full package."
Rashford has played a major role in Mourinho's plans so far this season, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists in 19 games across all competitions. The Wythenshawe-born forward was named in the starting 11 for the third consecutive Premier League game in a row on Saturday (18 November) and provided the assist his side's third goal as the 20-time champions of England thrashed Newcastle United 4-1 at Old Trafford.
Cole, who played for United between 1995 and 2001, added he has been impressed by the 20-year-old's attitude.
"You look at Rashford at the moment and he wants to extend himself to be as good as he can be, which is very, very good," he explained.
"In football, when you are young and you keep learning and you want to aspire to be the best, you never know where he can end up."
On Saturday, Rashford started alongside Anthony Martial, marking only the 12th time the duo have been on the pitch at the same time in their careers. The latter has previously been singled out for criticism by Mourinho, but after a difficult first campaign under the Portuguese coach he appears to have rediscovered the form that made him an instant success in his debut season at Old Trafford.
Despite starting just nine matches so far this season, the Frenchman has seven goals and six assists in 17 games in all competitions and is already on the verge of matching last season's record of eight goals and eight assists in 42 appearances.
Martial's performances appear to have won Mourinho over and Cole said he hoped to see the Frenchman at Old Trafford for a long time.
"I'm hoping he [Martial] is going to be there a long time," he said. "If you look at the talent that kid's got, it's absolutely frightening. He's got great feet, scores goals and creates goals.
"He's had his ups and downs with the manager already but I think he just wants the arm around the shoulder -- a bit of loving and you'll definitely get the best out of him."
