Marcus Rashford is struggling at the moment, Ralf Rangnick has told the media.
A draw at home to Leicester City all but confirmed Manchester United will not be playing in next season’s Champions League. Heck, as things stand, a Europa League place may also be in doubt!
The football hasn’t improved while the confidence within that dressing room looks absolutely shot. Although I appreciate that Ralf Rangnick has a tough job on his hands, and the work he has done is largely positive, I just don’t see how he is given the job on a permanent basis.
One player who has seriously struggled this season, under both Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is Marcus Rashford. The Englishman looks a shadow of his former self right now. He’s playing the worst football of his career, looking pretty lost out on the football pitch.
We all know he has the talent to turn it around, while the media have done a pretty good job at protecting Rashford over the last few months. The lack of an international call-up placed Rashy in the spotlight a little more, though, and Rangnick would address his problems after the game on Saturday.
Rangnick admitted that the United star is ‘not having his best time’ right now, which is pretty much a given.
Check out what Rangnick had to say in full when talking about Rashford:
“Marcus, it’s no secret that he is not having his best time right now, it has to do with rhythm and confidence as well, yeah. Again, it’s our job to help him to get this confidence back and that is why I decided to bring him on.” Rangnick told reporters, including the Manchester Evening News.
“In the end, he has to [lift] himself obviously, but the only thing we can do is speak to him regularly and tell him what we expect from him and what he should do. The rest has to be done by himself.
“There are quite a few examples this season of players, some of them are still here with us and one or two of them are no longer here, have shown that it is possible to develop within a couple of weeks a level of confidence where you can be a different player again. We all know that Marcus can play better but, again, in the end, he has to take the steps himself.”
I do love the tough approach that Rangnick has taken in regards to his players. We no longer have a manager who will bend over backwards to accommodate a dressing room full of big egos and personalities. I know that Rashford is a homegrown product, but he should be given exactly the same treatment.
That’s not to say Rashford won’t rediscover his absolute best form. I firmly believe he will. Perhaps a change in manager, a full pre-season under his belt and a goal or two will reignite that fire in his belly.
With this season now virtually over, Rashford can play without the pressure on his shoulders and possibly get back to playing for the enjoyment. I get it, that’s hard given all eyes are firmly watching him, but this is certainly a great opportunity.
Will Marcus Rashford get back to his best? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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