Rashford: United's Mindset Is Key At Chelsea

Marcus Rashford believes Manchester United must win both the physical and mental battles to come out on top against Chelsea on Sunday.

The 18-year-old striker wants his side to approach the Stamford Bridge encounter with the same mindset as at Anfield on Monday, when a hard-working, tactically-disciplined performance subdued a previously free-scoring Liverpool team.

Having been an unused substitute in Thursday’s Europa League victory over Fenerbahce, Rashford is poised to make his first senior appearance for United at Chelsea’s home, though his experience of playing there at Under-21 level has given him an idea of what to expect.

The teenager feels it’s vital the visitors do not afford the likes of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa time and space to play, as the Reds target a first win at Stamford Bridge in four years.

"You never know how the game is going to be until you get out there but I think it’s important we get into the game and start fast," Rashford told MUTV. 

"That’s what we did against Liverpool – we got into their faces and showed we weren’t going to be pushed around, and we need to go there with a similar attitude. The bigger the games are, the better for us.
"We have to try to keep them quiet and give ourselves the freedom to play as well, but it’s a difficult thing to do, especially away from home, so we have to have the same mentality and mindset as we did at Anfield.

"In these games, it’s a lot to do with one-v-ones and, if you get the better of your opponent, maybe you get the better of the game; that could be the situation on Sunday, so I think we have to work hard individually and collectively to get a result."

Two points separate Chelsea and United in the table after eight games, with the sides having made similar starts to the Premier League season under their respective new managers, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.

"They have a very strong squad. They’ve been a bit up and down but the manager has got them in a good shape and structure, and I think they’ve got a good plan of where they want to be," Rashford continued.
 
"I think they’re in a similar situation as us. But if we can go there, produce a good team performance and hopefully get the three points, that will give us a good boost and could set us up for the rest of the season."