Michael Owen is not sold on Marcus Rashford's ability to solve Man United's problems up front, despite the England star's recent goalscoring form.
Rashford scored three times for England in their run to the World Cup quarter-finals before returning with a brilliant solo goal against Burnley in the Carabao Cup. The academy graduate netted again on Tuesday as Erik ten Hag's team brushed Nottingham Forest aside, bringing his club tally for the season into double figures.
Owen, who scored 17 times in 52 United appearances, wasn't sold on Rashford back in 2019 during a season when the forward finished as the Red Devils' joint-top scorer. Three years on, it appears as though his stance hasn't changed.
Rashford has returned to scoring form this season after finding the net just five times last term. However, with Cristiano Ronaldo's exit leaving a gap in the front-line at Old Trafford, Owen still feels Ten Hag will need to look elsewhere for a main man in attack.
"He is not your main goalscorer," Owen said on Amazon Prime when discussing his compatriot. "If you're at Manchester United, Rashford isn't going to be scoring you 30 goals a season like a Wayne Rooney, like a Robin van Persie.
"He will contribute double figures every year from that left-hand side position. If you think Manchester United will play him down the middle and score 30 goals and be your main man then I would question it."
Owen's comments apparently echo those he made in 2019 when he said of Rashford: "I don't think he is obsessed with goals. He is a better all-around player than me, he has a great touch and all-around skill that I never had, but he hasn't got the killer instinct that I had.
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"I was just obsessed… but I don't think scoring goals is what he goes to bed craving. Players like Robbie Fowler, [Sergio] Aguero or Harry Kane these people who are obsessed with goals. I don't think he is obsessed with goals."
Rashford has played on the left and through the middle this season and admitted his preferred position can depend on the opposition. "More often than not I prefer to play on the left but if there's a weakness in the middle or if there's a certain player I feel I can exploit I like to have the freedom to move and do that," the 25-year-old told Amazon Prime.
"I feel comfortable in those positions, and I want to score goals. Every forward has a number they want to try and reach. For me, it's to score more than I've ever scored in a season so for me I think it's 22, 23. I need to try and keep scoring and affecting the games."
