Sir Alex makes 'unfortunate' claim to Rashford as he corrects reporter's Man Utd question

Sir Alex Ferguson has corrected a reporter's question after Manchester United lifted their first trophy under Erik ten Hag on Sunday and explained how Marcus Rashford's goalscoring form highlights an 'unfortunate' reality for his former club.

Fergie was present at Wembley when Casemiro and Rashford scored United's first-half goals as they beat Newcastle 2-0 to win the Carabao Cup.

Rashford's deflected effort was his 25th goal of the season and Ferguson was asked after the game if he had seen another in-form striker as good as Rashford at the moment.

Correcting the reporter, Ferguson said: "Well I don't think he's a striker. He operates from the left side which is fantastic. His finishing is always good, keeps his kicks low which is really important.

"He is in a great vein of form and unfortunately for us he is the main source of goals, we could make an extra one. But he does."

Rashford has operated in both left and midfield under Ten Hag this season, but with United tipped to spend big on a new striker in the near future, the England international is likely to come a long way.

Rashford said in December that he enjoys playing in different roles depending on the opposition.

Rashford told Prime Video: "I think it depends on the opposition, it depends on the personality you're playing against.

"Most often I prefer to play on the left, but if there's a weakness in the middle or there's a certain player I feel I can exploit, I like having the freedom to move and to do it."

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Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles as United boss, was delighted when Ten Hag won his first trophy with the club after just nine months in charge.

He said: "United are based on success and they are going in the right direction. The signings have been really good, it was important and he has the club under control. Which is really important for him.

"When you come to United you try to get off to a good start straight away and he did that well. He really did."