Rashford needs big support

MANCHESTER United manager Jose Mourinho insists Marcus Rashford deserves support and not criticism as he continues to develop as a first-team player.

The boss is unconcerned by the 19-year-old's lack of goals in his first full season in the senior team, instead preferring to focus on the forward's unwavering endeavour, a quality he appreciates in all his players.

Speaking ahead of the sixth-placed Reds' Premier League trip to struggling Sunderland on Sunday, Mourinho insisted he would continue to nurture the talented youngster.

"We have people that are not getting (taking) the opportunities and that's bad for the team," the manager said. "But I speak with them because when you give absolutely everything and you leave the pitch absolutely dead of work, that's fine for me.

"Marcus Rashford doesn't score goals since September (in the Premier League) - the only thing he deserves is support.

"Nothing else. Support, no critics, support."

JESSE Lingard has signed a new and improved deal that will keep him at United until at least 2021.