Marcus Rashford reveals it has ‘never been his aim’ to be Man Utd’s No 9 and wants to become ‘ultimate attacker’

MARCUS RASHFORD says it has never been his aim just to be Manchester United's No 9 - and instead wants to be the club's "ultimate forward".

And Rashford also wants to see more smiles from his team-mates after they slumped to sixth in the Premier League last season.

Players looked paralysed under Jose Mourinho and then dead on their feet under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once the Norwegian’s new-manager bounce wore off.

But Solskjaer has been working his troops hard this summer to avoid similar fatigue and after five wins in five during pre-season, it looks a happy camp again.

United’s legendary super-sub has a definitive tactical plan which is threatening to bring back the club’s identity of fast, attacking football - though last night’s win over Kristiansund was unconvincing.

England striker Rashford, 21, said: “The identity is there. It doesn't leave you just have to find it within yourself.

“We have to come together as a team to show people what we're capable of.

“This season especially I think we have to concentrate on ourselves and playing like we're enjoying our football.”

Rashford is feeling the physical benefits from Solskjaer’s intense sessions.

He has two goals so far in preseason and would have another few against his manager’s hometown team were it not for some super saves.

United’s finishing was concerning as they had 30 shots but had to rely on sub Juan Mata winning and converting an injury-time penalty in Oslo.

It did mean that the Spaniard became the seventh Red Devils player to net during this summer’s friendlies.

And Rashford believes it is hugely positive that all the goals are being shared around.

The academy product, who could start up front alongside Anthony Martial against Chelsea in their Prem opener, explained: “That's important.

“If one person is scoring all the goals you get a different feeling as a team than if all the forwards are contributing. It's definitely a good feeling and it keeps us all on our toes.

“It's never been my aim to be a No 9.

“It's about being able to adapt and play in different positions and to be the ultimate forward.

“I think I can score goals from all positions and I think that's something that's shared among the forwards.

“I can still sharpen up a bit more. That's normal, it's more about wanting to get the right amount of work load in.

“Fitness has improved and the patterns of play we've been working on are starting to come out in the games. That's the important thing.”

Solskjaer has been handed a tricky fixture list with Chelsea at home in the season-opener a week on Sunday followed by Wolves away.

Before then United complete their preseason schedule by playing AC Milan in Cardiff on Saturday and Rashford wants to make it six out of six ahead of the serious stuff.

The Three Lions ace added: “It's definitely a tough start. It's the start of the season and we're raring to go. Everyone is looking forward to that.

“We've got one more game where we can really put a shift in. We'll be in good condition when the season starts.”