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Andy Mitten on Rashford | 'He needs to be a bit more prolific'

Andy Mitten joined Ger and Nathan on OTB AM to look back on Manchester United's attacking options...



Andy Mitten on Rashford | 'He...
Soccer

Andy Mitten on Rashford | 'He needs to be a bit more prolific'

Andy Mitten joined Ger and Nathan on OTB AM to look back on Manchester United's attacking options, after yesterday's scoreless draw with Liverpool.

United maintained their exemplary away form with a resolute showing in defence, and while Liverpool did dominate much of the game, United created a number of clearcut chances in the final 20 minutes which they failed to take advantage of.

Being ruthless in front of goal is an area United need to improve, says Mitten, citing the patchy goalsoring returns of both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford this season, as well as Mason Greenwood coming back down to earth after his breakthrough campaign last season.

"I always remember Leicester going to Man City in the season they won the league, and bossing the game and beating City and that was a real title winning performance. United's form has been very good, they've been getting the wins, they've been exceptional away from home. United are approaching a year now away in the league.

"The one slight worry - because football fans always want more - is Manchester City looking pretty good, winning all the time, deserved their win at Old Trafford, Kevin de Bruyne is probably the best player in the league. Maybe City are more of a worry for United now than Liverpool are because Liverpool are out of form and struggling to score.

"Greenwood probably completely overachieved last season, and he's getting used to having expectations put on him now.

"Martial - two goals - not good enough. Marcus Rashford - one goal in the league at Old Trafford - not good enough," he says.

Regarding Rashford in particular, Mitten pointed out that fans shouldn't get too fixated by small patches of form, citing his scoring record overall isn't something that will be of major concern.

"There's a bit of revisionism with some fans. I was researching Dennis Law last week and came across an article where fans were fuming because Law had been out of form for a long time. Nobody remembers that now. I remember Rooney getting loads of stick because he wasn't playing or scoring and that's happening at the moment.

"Martial needs to get to the levels he was at at times last season. Rashford has had a very good season, but he's still not the top, top world class player that he hopes to be. I think he knows that as well. I think his aim this season is to score 30 goals, and I think he needs to be a bit more prolific in the league.

"It was frustrating watching him offside four times in the first half alone because you can see they're really close to that coming off, and his players know he's going to make the run, and his opponents know and that's why so many United players were fouled breaking yesterday."

Mitten says United's strength this season has been their ability to score from all areas of the pitch, but added that eventually they need their strikers to start leading by example.

"The one good thing about this team is that the goals are coming from different areas. Paul Pogba got the goal last week, Scott McTominay in the previous game, but there's times where you think this team needs a centre forward who scores lots of goals like Van Nistelrooy.

"I like Cavani, I've been pretty positive on him from when he was signed, and that was based on people who watched him all the time in top level professional football, because I don't watch PSG every week. He's not fully got going yet and that's partly because he came a little bit late, he's had his ban, he's not been a first choice striker, but I still think he offers a different outlet.

"If United are going to win the league, Cavani will have to come up with those amazing match winning moments. He did it at Southampton, but you have to do it a bit more.

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Read more about

Andy Mitten Anthony Martial Bruno Fernanes Manchester United Marcus Rashford Mason Greenwood Ole Gunnar Solksjaer