Tuesday 1 March 2016 17:08, UK
Louis van Gaal has warned against overhyping Manchester United's newest fan favourite Marcus Rashford.
The local teenager has scored twice in each of his first two senior appearances to help secure back-to-back wins for a United side missing as many as 17 players.
Former United midfielder Ray Wilkins says Rashford should be given an incentive-based contract to help keep him grounded.
And while Van Gaal believes the 18-year-old's natural "modesty" will do that job, the manager wants to protect his new goalscorer.
"First I think that the media have to leave him in peace," Van Gaal said. "When you are in front of his house and that kind of stuff, I don't think that is beneficial for a boy of 18 years.
"Give him the time to be 18 years old, and we shall guide him also in that way. He is a very modest guy, so I don't think that shall be a problem.
"Of course, when you have so much attention from the media, it can go in another way. But I believe he shall keep his feet on the ground.
"The older players will guide him and I hope to guide you also in this press conference: he is getting too much attention and it's not always easy to deal with that attention. It's remarkable and I can understand that you are praising him, but still he has to show his consistency."
Van Gaal, attending his news conference ahead of Wednesday's home game with Watford, was also asked about his comedy dive on a rare outing to his technical area during the Arsenal game.
"It is not a part of my philosophy because I don't think you can influence the game from that spot," Van Gaal added.
"But I am not a clown, I am Louis van Gaal, I am a human being and a manager. And the players have to think on the pitch, not the manager."
