Rashford’s sub-role frustration grows, may not be at Old Trafford next season

Rashford has reached a point where he wants to be starting most matches [Photo: Courtesy]

Marcus Rashford is becoming increasingly disillusioned at not starting enough games for Manchester United.

Rashford has started just five of the Old Trafford giants' last 16 games and is said to have been particularly frustrated at not getting the nod for Saturday's epic 3-2 comeback derby win away to Manchester City.

Boss Jose Mourinho brought on Rashford for only the last eight minutes at the Etihad Stadium, and the forward is said to be exasperated with his current cameo-role status.

Mourinho plays the 20-year-old a lot but it's usually off the bench [Photo: Courtesy]

Although the 20-year-old has made 43 appearances this season – only fellow striker Romelu Lukaku has more for the club – just 22 of those have been starts, with the England international having found himself pushed back in the supporting cast.

The January arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal has not helped Rashford's cause, and while he has not complained publicly about his lack of starts, privately it is said to be affecting him.

Rashford has been at United since the age of seven, has progressed through their ranks to the first-team without going out on loan and is understood to have no desire to turn his back on his boyhood club.

But Mourinho's reluctance to give him a sustained run in the side is an ongoing issue that is likely to come to a head if it continues, with Rashford unwilling to accept being a bit-part player much longer.

A United source said: “Marcus was really unhappy with being left out for the derby.

“If Mourinho is still there next season, Marcus might not be, as he wants to start every game.”

Rashford is also said to be unhappy at playing on the right side, with Sanchez having made the left side his own since his arrival and Lukaku immovable up front as the first-choice central striker.

England manager Gareth Southgate is known to have privately expressed concern at Rashford's lack of club starts this season, with the start of the World Cup finals now just two months away.

The mid-season signing of fellow forward Sanchez has not helped Rashford's chances [Photo: Courtesy]

Mourinho defended his handling of Rashford last month, after former Crystal Palace boss Frank De Boer criticised him for not playing the youngster enough.

“I try to give the best to him [Rashford]," he said.

“If you go to his numbers and see how many matches he played last season and this with me, I would say he's in the top five players with matches in the two seasons.”