Manchester United forward has been given added pressure in training this week

Sir Alex Ferguson once described complacency as a disease when responding to a question about maintaining high standards.

Ferguson knew healthy competition in his Manchester United squad was conducive to raising performances and that complacency might eventually creep into a player's mindset without pressure on their starting role.

Although football has evolved over the last decade and some of the legendary former manager's methods wouldn't work today, the simple concept of having competition for places is never likely to leave the sport.

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Erik ten Hag regularly talks about the need for a strong squad and some positions, like left-wing and midfield, have more strength in depth than others, like at striker where Rasmus Hojlund is the only reliable option through the middle.

Anthony Martial spends more time on the treatment table than the pitch and Hojlund would be the only recognised striker available if the Frenchman were to pick up more knocks this season.

Marcus Rashford can play as a striker, of course, but his underwhelming start to the season can perhaps be explained by playing in that position across the first few games, struggling to make an impact and gradually losing confidence.

Rashford is not the same player as a striker and he's best on the left side, however, he's played in that role across the last five games and that relocation to the flank has not coaxed the improvement that was hoped.

The 25-year-old has just a single goal, his brilliantly taken strike against Arsenal, so far in this campaign and his performances have received increased scrutiny as a consequence of not consistently finding the back of the net.

Rash