Joe Cole admitted Manchester United are holding Marcus Rashford backCredit: AP

The former Hammer also said Bruno Fernandes is being held backCredit: Reuters

Struggling Manchester United are set to face Copenhagen in their Champions League clash on Wednesday.

And ahead of the game Cole has defended Man Utd attacking duo Rashford and Fernandes for their team’s inconsistent form.

He told TNT Sports: “Rashford and Fernandes are both world-class players.

“They’re outstanding footballers but they’re in a system that’s not allowing them to express their creative abilities.

“Rashford is the face of Manchester United and Bruno is the captain but I wouldn’t want my creative players to be the main leaders.”

The ex-Chelsea boy admitted the pressures of being a senior in the Red Devils changing room has crippled the pair’s confidence on the pitch.

Cole even suggested Ten Hag should have appointed Raphael Varane as captain to lighten the load on Fernandes.

He continued: “I think the captain should be someone like Varane, a player behind the rest of the team who can say to Fernandes and Rashford ‘you can be the difference-makers for us’.”

Rashford missed United’s late 1-0 victory to Fulham – which Fernandes scored the dramatic stoppage-time winner – due to injury despite travelling to Craven Cottage.

Cole added: “When Marcus plays and there are no other thoughts in his head – like when he played for England the other day against Italy – he’s outstanding.

“He’s a world-beater. The same applies to Fernandes. Don’t get me wrong, they still need to be leaders but the body language of the whole squad needs to improve.

“I would be putting more pressure on the players that are at the back, who can see the whole game, to drive the team and lift the dressing room.”

Ten Hag’s side now needs to secure a win in Denmark otherwise they will face an uphill battle in the rest of the knockout competition.

And remaining fixtures against European giants Galatasaray and Bayern Munich could push United out of the competition.

Cole suggested Raphael Varane should be the team’s captainCredit: Getty