Former England star Emile Heskey has urged Manchester United to sign another striker to share the load with Marcus Rashford next season.
Heskey’s comments come after it has emerged that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been released by the Red Devils, which means Rashford and Wayne Rooney are the only recognised strikers left in the club’s senior squad.
However, the 2016-17 campaign has been touted by many as Rooney’s last at Old Trafford, so come the beginning of next season Rashford may be the only front man on United’s books.
This is a scenario which Heskey finds worrying, and believes manager Jose Mourinho needs to bring in an experienced face to play alongside the 19-year-old.
The 62-time England international told the Daily Mail: “Rashford has a very exciting future, he plays along the whole of the front – he can play central or left or right so he has a very bright future.
“He’s a very exciting player – he likes to get at players – and people like to see people take someone on. He’s definitely got that ability.
“I’m guessing United are going to bring someone else in because it’s a tall order for a young lad, for a 19-year-old to play a full season in the Champions League as well.
“It’s a lot to ask for him to be leading the line. So it’s good if they bring someone senior in, someone experienced to help him.”
Rashford was a regular in United’s front line last term, scoring 11 goals in 53 league and cup games, as well as providing six assists.
However, the 19-year-old was not effective as he was in the 2015-16 campaign which saw him bag 12 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions.
Since he broke into the senior squad at Old Trafford in the summer of 2015 he has played 71 league and cup games, and has helped his side win the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League.
Rashford has already been capped by England on eight occasions, and he played 65 minutes in his nation’s 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw with Scotland on Saturday afternoon.