Louis van Gaal has rejected the notion that Marcus Rashford saved his job, instead saying the teenager epitomises the trust in young players that Manchester United fans should be thanking him for.
There have been plenty of peaks and troughs at Old Trafford this season, with the 18-year-old’s remarkable breakthrough certainly fitting into the former category.
Thrown in against FC Midtjylland after a warm-up injury to Anthony Martial, Rashford netted a brace to help United win that do-or-die Europa League clash.
Another double a few days later in the 3-2 victory over Arsenal increased the feel-good factor and alleviated the pressure mounting on manager Van Gaal.
Talk of Jose Mourinho replacing him has quietened, if not disappeared, since Rashford burst on to the scene, but the Dutchman was clearly irked by suggestions the teenager saved his job.
“[The young players] want to prove and they want to show to the world, to the manager, to everybody, that they are the best, so they always give spirit to a team,” Van Gaal said.
“That is why we have decided not to invest in January and I have said that already two months ago, but you don’t want to believe it. The policy is to have a small selection and then you can give youngsters a chance.
“Now I have read that Rashford is saving me. No, no, Rashford is thanks to my policy, and the club, of course, [and he] has proved that.
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