Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock with just 20 minutes remaining (Picture: Getty)

Jose Mourinho refused to take credit for the substitutions that helped Manchester United continue their perfect start to the season and even admitted Marcus Rashford’s opening goal came about in a way he hadn’t intended.

The England striker started on the bench at Old Trafford on Saturday, paying the price for some errant finishing in recent weeks and the resurgent from of Anthony Martial.

Rashford was introduced halfway through the second period and took just three minutes to break the deadlock, turning home Henrik Mkhitaryan’s corner from point-blank range.

Afterwards, Mourinho revealed it was his intention for Rashford to stretch the game with his pace and work in tandem with Romelu Lukaku.

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Jose Mourinho’s substitutions turned the game in Man United’s favour (Picture: Getty)
Another substitute, Marouane Fellaini, sealed the three points late on (Picture: Getty)

‘Very good players,’ Mourinho said. ‘I think it was that Mata is a player that plays more with the ball and comes for the ball and is an extra player in our quality football when we have possession and try to build with some patience.

‘And Marcus is a runner and I told him to make a few runs and a few movements in relation to Lukaku’s position.

‘But in the end he scored from a corner that I didn’t even see because I was speaking with Lingard.’

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