Rashford is giving Jose Mourinho a headache with Lukaku

The preseason performances of Marcus Rashford are giving Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho a headache with the signing of Romelu Lukaku.

Jose Mourinho has seen success for many clubs over many years in many countries. Like any manager he has preferred methods and systems. They have changed and adapted over time and in different situations. However one thing that has been constant is that he plays with one striker and only one striker.

The blockbuster signing of Romelu Lukaku is the Number 9 that Mourinho has longed for since taking over at Old Trafford. Since his arrival was confirmed the Manchester United forums and commentators have been talking about his role in the side. Specifically how he we play as Didier Drogba did in Mourinho’s Chelsea side.

The presumption has been that Marcus Rashford would be the second striker at the club and primarily play as Lukaku’s back up, an option from the bench and start in the domestic cups. Yet his preseason form is causing Mourinho to rethink his strategy.

Against Manchester City in Houston, Texas the team set up in the familiar one up front and two wide players; Rashford and Lingard. However it was Rashford’s forward play that caught the eye. The twin pace of he and Lukaku overwhelmed the City defense on numerous occasions. Both player looked electric.

While outsiders may think this is a wonderful progression it is not what Mourinho had intended. The wide players in his system are used as the first line of defense and then break suddenly for incisive counter attacks. Rashford can handle the counter attacks but lacks the defensive discipline to permanently fill the other duties. Hence why United are desperate to sign Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.

Is Jose Mourinho going to sacrifice the stability of his system to accommodate Rashford? I don’t think he will. The real question is will he change the system entirely; towards a traditional 4-4-2? We will be watching the rest of their preseason games keenly to see how they may start the Premier League season in August.