Marcus Rashford lacks ‘clinical side’ to emulate Edinson Cavani for Manchester United, says Andy Cole
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole feels Marcus Rashford doesn’t possess the ruthless streak in front of goal that top-class centre-forwards do, including current team-mate Edinson Cavani.
Speaking in the wake of United’s 3-3 draw with Everton at the weekend, Cole suggested that Rashford’s habit of missing big opportunities means he’ll never be the type to hit the “20 to 25” goals a season mark which is usually used in rather cliche fashion to be the marker of a predatory goalscorer.
That’s despite Rashford doing precisely that last season, when he netted 22 in all competitions, and with 16 to his name this term he appears on course to do the same.
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Cole went on to explain his opinion that veteran striker Cavani was the more reliable of the pair – despite his strike rate this term standing at a goal every 163 minutes, while Rashford has a goal every 158 minutes of play so far.
“Marcus is not going to be a clinical centre-forward like a Cavani,” said Cole on talkSPORT.
“[He] will nick himself a certain amount of goals season in, season out, but he won’t be that individual you’re looking for to score 20 to 25 goals. I don’t think Marcus has got that clinical side in him.
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“If you look at what Man United have now with Cavani; you know what you’re going to get [with him], it’s as simple as that.”
While Cavani’s minutes-per-goal rate is below that of Rashford at present, the 33-year-old is in good form and several of his early season appearances came off the bench. Against that, most of Rashford’s appearances come from wide, rather than at centre-forward.
But it’s not just the Uruguayan’s instincts in front of goal which his Old Trafford team-mates should be looking at; his work rate off the ball and movement inside the penalty box is superior to the younger players around him, says Cole.
“His out of possession work is far better than [Anthony] Martial, Rashford and [Mason] Greenwood.
“They’ve got a lot to learn, those young players, in terms of how he operates when Manchester United haven’t got the ball and I think ultimately, those young three I’ve named, haven’t grabbed that No.9 spot.”
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