Former Premier League striker Dean Ashton has advised Marcus Rashford to stay at Manchester United, amid rumours the young England striker is open to a move to Real Madrid.

Some recent reports have linked Rashford with a move to Los Blancos as he struggles to nail down a place in the United XI.

Rashford is reportedly open to a move while it’s also been claimed that the Spanish juggernauts want the 21-year-old, as well as Tottenham schemer Christian Eriksen.

The Sun report Rashford is open to a deal if he is continually denied a space in Jose Mourinho’s side.

The forward has started five of 12 Premier League games this season, scoring just twice.

And former Norwich City and West Ham United striker Ashton feels Rashford has not yet earned his spot in the United first team.

“I just don’t feel as if he has been that good to earn the spot and be a regular for Manchester United yet,” Ashton told talkSPORT.

Rashford has struggled to truly breakthrough under Jose Mourinho.

“But that’s not a huge problem, he’s been playing for England and playing really well.”

It’s been claimed that Real have made contact with Rashford’s representatives as they ramp up the pressure for the starlet.

Rashford reportedly doesn’t want to leave his home town but is concerned he is not going to reach his full potential at United.

He is out of contract at the end of the season and currently valued at £50million.

Ashton believes Rashford should stay at Old Trafford. “He has to affect the game, whether that be with deliveries, whether that be linking up with the forward, whether that be running in behind,” Ashton added.

“It looks like he’s still enjoying his football, he is undoubtedly going to learn a lot from Jose Mourinho because he is a top-quality coach.

“So I wouldn’t be worried if I was him, I wouldn’t be looking elsewhere, certainly not yet anyway.

“I’d be more concentrated on ‘when I get my chance that I play well enough to own the spot that I want to play in’. If he wants to play centre-forward, he has to be so good you can’t drop him.”

United return to Premier League action when they host Crystal Palace on Saturday.