Marcus Rashford insists he is comfortable being deployed in a central role for Manchester United after coming off the bench to score in midweek.
The 24-year-old, who usually plays as a left winger or a lone striker, was instructed to operate as a second striker just behind Cristiano Ronaldo and netted in United's 3-0 win over FC Sheriff, heading past the goalkeeper from a Luke Shaw cross.
It was his sixth goal of the season for United, bettering his tally from across the entirety of the previous campaign. However, it was the first goal he has scored this season while playing in a central position, with the previous five having come when he was operating off the left wing.
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Rashford is relishing the opportunity to be playing regular football under Erik ten Hag and revealed that his responsibilities remain the same regardless of which position he is asked to fill.
"It was a more central role just behind Cristiano up front. But it’s the same principles, really," Rashford said of his positioning against Sheriff. “He wants us to do similar things in those positions, linking with the forward, trying to get close to the forward and ultimately make the box, and try and score more goals. It was a nice feeling to come on and have a good impact. I think we deserved it in the end. We were patient and we stuck at it."
Not only is Rashford enjoying a successful season on a personal note but there has been clear progress made under the guidance of Ten Hag.
The United forward is relishing the opportunity to work with his new manager and believes a lot of the transformation is down to the good squad morale that has been established.
He added: "I feel like I'm getting there. But, yeah, I’m a lot more happy, I’m enjoying myself a lot more. I'm just looking forward to the games. You know, we've got a lot of games in a short space of time but that’s why we have such a good squad.
“Everyone’s up for it, everyone’s up for the challenge, up for the fight. For me, the epitome of that was the Chelsea game. We conceded late on and we still had the courage and the determination to score again late on.
“We were disappointed with the draw, but when you look at the wider scheme of things it’s great character. We know that we’ve got it but to show it is another thing.”
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