It’s safe to say Marcus Rashford looks like a shell of the prolific forward fans had grown accustomed to in 2022/2023.
Previously considered Manchester United’s talisman, the 26-year-old has endured a turbulent period since his career-best campaign came to an end last year.
Rashford netted 30 goals in all competitions for the first time in Erik ten Hag’s maiden term but followed it up last season with just eight goals in 43 appearances across all competitions. As a result, he found himself omitted from England’s Euro 2024 squad and is yet to return to the setup since Lee Carsley took the reins at St. George’s Park.
Since returning to action after the summer, the Carrington graduate has started all four of United’s matches: the Community Shield final and the opening three Premier League fixtures. He has yet to repay his manager’s faith by recording a goal contribution.
Frequently have fans spotted Rashford cutting that notorious frustrated figure and now that he risks losing his place to younger counterparts Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo, it’s never been more essential for him to turn his performances around.
Weighing in on the player’s recent decline, Alan Shearer claimed Rashford should’ve pushed for a move away from Old Trafford in order to revitalise his career elsewhere.
Shearer’s bleak Rashford analysis
“In his current form, I don’t see Marcus Rashford reviving his England career,” the all-time Premier League top goalscorer told Betfred, as cited by Mail Sport. “I personally don’t know his mentality or what his approach is in terms of training, but there’s only one way back, which is to train and have the right attitude.
“But looking from the outside, for me, he should have left Man United to reignite his career because he’s gone very static for whatever reason, and it hasn’t worked for him for a while now. Only Marcus can answer how much he wants to get back to scoring 30 goals a season.”