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Man Utd news: Rio Ferdinand makes Cristiano Ronaldo claim about one United star
MANCHESTER UNITED forward Marcus Rashford must look at Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of a player who did not have a set position on the pitch early in his career.
Rashford is a starter at Manchester United says Ferdinand
That is according to BT Sport pundit and legendary Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
Rashford’s role under Jose Mourinho at United has often been under question.
The England international has rarely started as a central striker since the Portuguese became manager in 2016.
The 21-year-old was not even handed a starting role there against Bournemouth on Saturday with Romelu Lukaku absent through injury.
You’ve seen it with top players with Wayne Rooney on the left wing at times for Man Utd, Ronaldo on the wing and up front
But Rashford did come off the bench and scored a winner deep into stoppage time in the 2-1 victory.
Ferdinand believes Rashford should now be starting most games for his former side.
But claims he should not have a set position, like Cristiano Ronaldo during his early days at the club.
“This is a great talent who needs to be nurtured,” Ferdinand said of Marcus Rashford.
“Mourinho has given him opportunities, he’s played many, many minutes.
“But I believe he is at an age now where he will be sitting there [and] if he’s not starting, he’ll be disappointed.
“He’s gone from being that player who’s been brought into the squad, who’s happy to be on the bench and come off the bench and make an impact.
“He’s now at a place where in his own mind he’s thinking ‘I should be starting here’ and when he doesn’t, that’s a deflator.
“I don’t think he’s at the point in his career where he should say he’s a definite No.9 down the middle.
“But I do think in a young player’s development, you’ve seen it with top players with Wayne Rooney on the left wing at times for Man Utd, Ronaldo on the wing and up front.
"Players move about at a young age, then find their position.
“But I do believe he is a starter in this team.”
United's win over Bournemouth moved them up to seventh in the Premier League table, level on points with Saturday's opponents.