Even when he isn’t scoring, Marcus Rashford invariably ends up being Manchester United ’s match-winner this season.
Rashford has five goals of his own this term, but it was the role of provider in which he excelled against Crystal Palace on Saturday, helping inspire United to another convincing win that kept them level on points at the top of the table with local rivals Manchester City.
The United striker has had a hand in nine goals in his past 10 games in all competitions and headed off to England duty with a ringing endorsement from team-mate Juan Mata.
“I think he’s been brilliant,” said Mata, who scored United’s opener from Rashford’s cross to condemn bottom club Palace to a seventh straight Premier League defeat.
“I think he’s a special kid. I think he has a lot of talents and he’s got a good mentality, which is important at that age. He’s performing very well, week-in, week-out. Even coming from the bench he’s helping a lot. I really believe he is going to be a big player for club and country.
“It’s down to everything he does on the pitch, the qualities he has, the important player he is in some difficult games where he just takes the ball and scores two great goals, like in the League Cup.
“I see so many players at that age like this, and then they don’t keep consistency, but I believe he can because it’s down to his mentality and he has the right mentality for that.”
Marouane Fellaini may have scored twice to further underline his enduring value to United, despite his much-maligned status, but it was Rashford who was their key man here.
Rashford, who does not turn 20 until the end of this month, is having to produce his best to keep his starting place ahead of Anthony Martial.
Martial came on for Rashford and produced another impressive late cameo from the bench, providing the assist for Romelu Lukaku to plunder the fourth goal.
“Everyone is doing their bit and I believe that the manager is happy with that,” said Mata. “We have a good squad and some good players this season. The manager has a lot of players to choose from.
“We had a lot of games in September so he changed a lot, but everyone is performing. As a manager, he can’t ask for more.”
This was United’s fourth 4-0 win in the league this season, with Mata admitting Mourinho’s side have been more clinical and are relishing sharing the goals.
“We’re being more efficient in front of goal,” said Mata. “We’re not training more on finishing than last season, it’s just down to confidence.
“Maybe it’s true that last season Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] was scoring almost every game and we tried to help with some goals, but he was very responsible for our attack.
“This season everyone seems to enjoy the offensive duties. We’re scoring in important moments of the game too, which last season we didn’t do.”
Paul Pogba remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, with Mourinno insisting he has full confidence in his players to continue winning in the absence of their £89million midfielder.
“We never miss the players that are injured, that’s our way of seeing it,” said Mourinho. “They’re injured, we don’t think about them.
“It’s an opportunity for others, is a moment for others to step up and to get the chance, so I think that’s good.
“When we moan all the time about injuries it looks like we don’t trust the other people and we have to.”
Next up for United after the international break is a trip to arch rivals Liverpool on October 14, arguably their first proper test of an otherwise favourable start to the season.
“I didn’t even think about it,” said Mourinho. “I just ended this game. I’m not even thinking about Liverpool, I can promise you that.”
Just as City’s win at Chelsea further endorsed their title credentials, the Anfield clash will tell us whether Mourinho’s United are genuine contenders or merely flat-track bullies.