Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has came out to defend his status as a manager and the club against Football 'Einsteins' following the 3-1 win against Northampton in the EFL.

United were under a lot of scrutiny after their torrid run of form which saw them lose three games in the space of eight days; losing to Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford. But United returned to winning ways and produced a solid performance against Northampton, with Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford stepping up for the Red Devils.

Following the game, Mourinho told MUTV: "'We had a bad week.

I know that the world is full of Einsteins, I know that they tried to delete 16 years of my career"

"'They tried to delete an unbelievable history of Manchester United Football Club and to focus on a bad week with three bad results. But that's the new football, it's full of Einsteins"

Opportunity to redeem their league loss against Manchester City

Having progressed in the EFL after their win at Northampton, United have been drawn against Manchester City in the last 16 of the EFL in October. Their rivals have been in impressive form themselves, winning all nine of their games this season including their 2-1 win against United. They progressed in the EFL with a 2-1 win against Swansea, with goals from Gael Clichy and debutant Aleix Garcia being too much for Swansea's consolation goal from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have had a long standing rivalry dating back to when the managers where at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. The rivals will meet for an 18th time in October, with Guardiola leading the head to head stats with eight wins to Mourinho's three and the pair drawing seven times.

Time for Rashford to start

After another goal in his debut in the EFL, he can add it to his list of debut goals including European cup, Premier League, England (senior and U21). Former United player Phil Neville, who was at the Northampton game, told SkySports: "The kid is special. He has to start (against Leicester)."

"When a young lad is in such good form you've got to let them fly.

You've just got to pick him."

Rashford has been one of United's outstanding performers and many fans are eager to see the young striker win a place in the team. Producing 11 goals and 3 assists since his debut back in February, he has contributed to more goals than any United player since his debut. With Wayne Rooney failing to produce again when starting as a lone striker against Northampton, Mourinho may decide that it's time to blossom Rashford and Ibrahimovic's partnership.