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€86M Rated Striker Needs to Make a Decision on His Manchester United Future: Should he Leave to Find Form Somewhere Else?

United striker candidate moussa dembele lyon

According to the world-renowned journalist, Fabrizio Romano, Marcus Rashford is uncertain of his future with Manchester United. Lack of game time and suffering from lack of form has led him to consider his future. This has never been the case with the 24-year-old. He has always been dedicated to United since the start.

Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, Rashford
Image Obtained via (thebusbybabe.sbnation.com)

The English forward was one of United’s best players in the 2020 season. However, he has failed to pounce on that momentum in 2021 and 2022. Rashford has struggled to get regular game time under Ralf Rangnick. He continues to wonder whether he will be a first-team player next season when Rangnick moves to a consultancy role, according to 90 min.

However, Rangnick aims to support him and has mentioned that he will be behind him to improve and develop the player. Rashford’s lack of game time could possibly be a result of his sudden dip in form. Furthermore, Rangnick is also ready to let Rashford go if the 24-year-old forward thinks the game time is a problem for him. The main positive is that Rashford is willing to clear his thoughts with the new manager that will come in as the permanent manager.

Rashford is facing tough competition from Sancho and Elanga to be in the starting lineup. Both Sancho and Elanga have been in great form and should not be dropped. Moreover, Rangnick decided to use Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba as false-9 against Manchester City instead of using Rashford as the striker in the place of Ronaldo.

Marcus Rashford underperforming in recent appearances

Marcus Rashford was known for his fast-paced gameplay where he liked to take on defenders and create chances. He was also known for his long knuckleball shots but even that has reduced in the past two seasons. Rashford had undergone surgery before the start of this season. Everyone expected him to come out in good form now that he is fully fit. However, that has not been the case and has found himself struggling.

He is failing to get into good positions or create more chances for his teammates. Rashford used to get past defenders easily nutmegging them on a regular basis. However, he has almost forgotten all that as he fails in all of his attempts to beat the defenders. Rashford has also failed to convert a few easy-to-score chances. United were lucky to get good results in those games.

Marcus Rashford heatmap, Rashford, Manchester United
Image Obtained via (SofaScore)

His heatmap suggests how he struggles to get into the box to score goals. It also represents the lack of game time he has been facing this season. Rashford now also does not carry the ball as much as he used to before. Jadon Sancho now seems more reliable than Marcus Rashford as he injects energy into the attack.

Rashford was deemed to be one of United’s best players because of the potential he had shown early in his career. However, he is not even a proper starter at the club now. He has the worst goals per 90(0.41) and assists per 90(0.21) figures since the 2016/17 season. Moreover, he is also experiencing his worst ever xG (2.3) and xA (2.0) returns since people started calculating those stats (stats via fbref).

Marcus Rashford ratings, Rashford, Manchester United
Image Obtained via (WhoScored)

What should Marcus Rashford do to get back in form at Manchester United?

The above Marcus Rashford ratings show that his average rating in a match is 6.5 which is not good enough for a Manchester United player. As Rangnick mentioned, Rashford does train well but should bring those training performances onto the pitch. There is no doubt that Rashford has the quality and potential to be one of the world’s best.

Even the best in the business face tough phases or dip in form. Only those who can come back succeed further. Marcus Rashford has that mentality to come back and should not consider his future away from Manchester United in any case. He can thrive under a manager who has a positive approach to the game.

Rashford was at his best under Solskjaer. But now he has to improve on his off-the-ball movement and pressing. He certainly has the ability to move with the ball at his feet. He needs more confidence to do it on a regular basis. Moreover, he should make the best of this opportunity to work with the footballing great Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rashford has a similar playing style to that of a younger Cristiano Ronaldo. The 5-time Ballon d’Or winner could take Rashford under his wing to improve and make him one of the world’s best. Marcus Rashford leaving Manchester United will be a very shocking move for all the United fans. It is very hard to imagine Rashford in a different shirt.

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