Jose Mourinho launched an impassioned defence of his handling of Marcus Rashford – but the Manchester United forward is one of England’s most under-used players this season.

Here Press Association Sport crunches the numbers.

How many Premier League minutes has Rashford played this season?

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Rashford, 20, started both games for the Three Lions during the international break, scoring against Spain and Switzerland.

However, he has accrued just 122 minutes in the Premier League league this season – making just one start.

Rashford (right) was sent off for headbutting Phil Bardsley as United won at Burnley.
Rashford (right) was sent off for headbutting Phil Bardsley as United won at Burnley. (Martin Rickett/PA)

Which members of Gareth Southgate’s most recent squad had fewer minutes?

Only Tottenham full-back Danny Rose (83), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (33) of Chelsea, Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck (21) and title-winning Manchester City man Fabian Delph (0) have spent less time on the field.

  • Marcus Rashford - 122
  • Danny Rose - 83
  • Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 33
  • Danny Welbeck - 21
  • Fabian Delph - 0

Rashford has played more than the other two players name-checked by Mourinho in his press conference – Dominic Calvert-Lewin having played 111 minutes for Everton while Dominic Solanke is yet to feature in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.

Which players are at the top end in terms of minutes played?

England goalkeepers Alex McCarthy (left), Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford (right) have played every minute for their respective clubs this season.
England goalkeepers Alex McCarthy (left), Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford (right) have played every minute for their respective clubs this season. (Mike Egerton/PA)

Southgate spoke about the lack of games for his players when he announced his latest squad, going so far as to suggest he may have to start looking at players in the Championship as a result.

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland was the only player from the second tier in the last group and he has played every minute of the Potters’ six league games so far.

Seven other players have also not missed a second of action, with fellow goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and Alex McCarthy starting all four league games for Everton and Southampton, respectively.

The other five players are all defenders, with Leicester pair Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell joining Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw, Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and James Tarkowski of Burnley on the list.