Marcus Rashford scored both of Manchester United’s goals in our 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday. After the game, Jose Mourinho explained why he started the youngster and claimed that, having been at the club since he was seven, there is no one the striker would rather score against than fierce rivals Liverpool.

He scored two goals in a big game against top-class opponents. Of course, he was fundamental. It’s a good thing the first chance he had, he got it and he scored because I think, in the last two months, that was not happening with him.

He was feeling that a little bit in terms of his self confidence. Today, he probably came in unexpected but we trusted him. We felt the game could be adapted to his qualities. It was because he was impressing a lot in training and, sometimes, that’s the point. The media and the fans, in relation to the options, you are not on the training ground. You do not see what is going on and how well the players are training, how badly they are training.

His self confidence, mood and the feeling with him was he was really improving a lot in the past few weeks. Against Palace, we were losing so I played him immediately at half-time. The feelings were positive today, to bring Alexis to that [central] position so he could be a good link with Lukaku and also a way to stop Can or Henderson, whoever was their no.6 choice, a little bit. I thought Marcus’s speed would be important. Also, with Anthony Martial injured, it was not even a doubt between one or another. It was a straight choice.

It was good for Marcus, good for us. I think it’s special for him. Local boy, you know that better than me. A local boy, Academy boy, to score against Liverpool at Old Trafford is a special feeling for him.

If he could choose to score goals against somebody, I am pretty sure he would choose to score against Liverpool.