Jose Mourinho Told Marcus Rashford To Pick The Number 19 Shirt

Another season another challenge for Marcus Rashford but if anyone is doubting how much of an impact he can have next season with Romelu Lukaku as his latest competition it won't be Jose Mourinho.

Rashford's rise from nowhere two seasons ago is the sort of thing that shapes a legend in mythical stories, he had no right to be on the pitch against FC Midtjylland but took his opportunity.

Just months after that, having spent the last few games of that season proving how talented he was, he proved that he deserved to be in the England squad for the failed Euros and should have been played more.

Marcus Rashford

_{After scoring twice on his debut Rashford followed it up with a brace against Arsenal on his league debut. Image: PA}

Last season most people felt the mix of Jose Mourinho as manager and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in front of him would stunt his development but again the teenager would score double figures.

Next term he will have to contend with a new striker in the guise of potential world record fee Romelu Lukaku but anyone questioning Mourinho's belief in the Englishman has overlooked his shirt number.

According to the Manchester Evening News the reason Rashford wears number 19 at Old Trafford is because Mourinho told him he had to have number 9 as it's the number goalscorers wear.

_{The young player and his manager obviously share a pretty good relationship. Image: PA}

The Mancunian made his debut under Louis van Gaal but Mourinho's reputation as someone who doesn't trust youth led people to believe Rashford would be in trouble.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's addition furthered those fears but the 19 year-old still got plenty of football last season, some of it at right wing, even before the Swede was injured at the back end of the season.

_{Experience and youth made a decent partnership when they were on the pitch together. Image: PA}

Rashford was wearing 39 the season before Mourinho came in and was due a change but couldn't take 9 as that went from Anthony Martial to Ibra.

Clearly his manager wanted a goalscorer to wear 9 somewhere so 19 was the obvious choice.

Rashford will come up against Romelu Lukaku to play in the '9' role next season but there's no reason to suggest he won't continue flourishing.

Topics: Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Marcus Rashford

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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