Following Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat to Villarreal, Marcus Rashford asserted, “I don’t want to hear ‘oh, they were so close’ because it doesn’t mean anything. There’s one winner and there’s one loser, and today we lost. We have to find out why and make sure that next time we don’t lose.” Nearly three years later, Rashford’s once-promising career at Manchester United stands at a pivotal juncture. INEOS, known for prompt decision-making, is poised for action. This article delves into Rashford’s journey, evaluating his time at Manchester United and questioning whether there’s still a chance to rejuvenate his career and fulfill his potential. The central question lingers: Is a departure necessary for the resurgence of Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, and their partnership with INEOS?
Early Promise
During the 2015-16 season under Louis Van Gaal’s management, Marcus burst onto the scene at just 18 years old, making an impactful contribution with 12 goals across all competitions. This included a memorable strike in the Premier League against Arsenal and a crucial goal in the Manchester derby at the Etihad, securing victory. His home debut against Arsenal saw him score a double, showcasing early promise. With the right guidance and support, Marcus’s future seemed limitless. In 2016, Louis Van Gaal likened him to the caliber of Patrick Kluivert, Thomas Müller, Xavi Hernández, and Andrés Iniesta, emphasizing Rashford’s immense potential. However, with Jose Mourinho taking the reins after Van Gaal’s departure, Marcus continued to shine. In a critical away game against Hull City, he scored a late winner, propelling Manchester United to the top of the league. Playing alongside his idol Wayne Rooney and the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimović, Rashford had the ideal mentors to guide his progress. Over the next two seasons with Mourinho, Marcus netted a combined 24 goals in all competitions, a commendable feat for a player still under 21 and in the developmental stages of his career. The future looked promising.
Evolution under Solskjær
In his third season, despite the tumultuous period marked by Jose Mourinho’s sacking and Manchester United’s underperformance, Marcus Rashford continued to evolve. Ole Gunnar Solskjær took charge and repositioned him as a central number 9, reigniting Rashford’s impact on the pitch. That season, he netted 13 goals across all competitions, a commendable tally. However, the demanding expectations of both Manchester United fans and pundits lingered, urging him to elevate his game further. Possessing the essential qualities of a top striker—pace, power, skill, desire, and hunger—Rashford showcased immense potential. Yet, there were noticeable areas in his gameplay that required refinement through coaching.
Solskjær’s Inconsistency and Lack of Identity
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s appointment as the full-time manager was solidified after the remarkable away victory against PSG, a match where the young Marcus stepped up, scoring a crucial penalty to propel Manchester United into the quarterfinals. This triumph was anticipated to herald a new era of dominance, with the emergence of youthful talents like Rashford, Martial, and Greenwood forming a formidable front three. However, over five years on, each player has grappled with personal and footballing challenges. The absence of a cohesive structure and forward-thinking management at the club has hindered their collective progression. Ole’s tenure marked inconsistency and a lack of identity. At this stage, Marcus was already one of the experienced members of the team, being at the club for over 5 years and making a handful of appearances.
Mourinho’s Continued Evaluation
After Rashford’s poor showing, Mourinho’s comments from 2019 have resurfaced. Back then, Mourinho gave his views that Rashford is not suited to play as the center striker for United. While working as a pundit for Sky Sports, he said: “He is young but he is experienced. One thing is you are young, and you do not have enough minutes, one thing is you are young and you never play, another is you are young, and you play since you are 18. At 21 years old, he has had more matches in the Premier League, in the national team, in the World Cup, in the Euros, in the Champions League and the Europa League, than some players who are 24, 25. For me, the points are not his age; the points are his qualities.” Mourinho continued: “For me, he is potentially a very good player, he is a very good player in some models of play, he is a very good player in some positions. As a target man or as a No.9, I don’t think he has these 30 goals which a top striker has. For me, who can’t get better as a No.9. For me, he can get better and better playing the way they did today – playing from the left side. But, playing as the target man in matches for Manchester United [he needs to be] dominant and playing against defensive teams, against low blocks, I think it is difficult for him.” This was back in 2019. Now, in 2024, five years on, the same questions arise.
Club Woes and Managerial Instability
The point is, though Rashford should not take all the responsibility for this. Manchester United has had a weak, inconsistent, and lack of strategy on and off the pitch ever since Alex Ferguson retired back in 2013. Rashford has been part of the group that has sadly been victims of constant managerial changes and a lack of identity. Rashford, alongside Sanchez, Depay, Martial, Sancho, Pogba, Maguire, Lukaku, and many more players with high potential and market value, has produced nothing short of mediocrity.
So What Now?
After reports surfaced early Friday morning that Rashford would be out of training due to illness, it’s now understood, as reported by various sources, that Rashford had been out in a nightclub late on Thursday night. Manchester United released a statement after their Newport game in the FA Cup, which they won 2-4, and Rashford was absent after Ten Hag disclosed it as an ‘internal matter’. Though many weren’t satisfied for this just to be an ‘internal matter.’ For a player that earns £375,000, his actions are not justifying that at the moment, regardless of the performances put in this season so far, which have been way below par.
It remains to be seen what the next pathway is for Marcus Rashford and whether he has a future at the club. At 26 years old with over 260 appearances at the club, now being one of the senior players, questions will rightfully be put if he’s part of the next era at Manchester United under INEOS.
Power Pitches 
Great article 👍 for me Rashford is an odd case since sometimes he plays like he’s world class and sometimes he ghosts through a game. I think that he has been affected by the constant changes in managers and teammates around him and have to adapt a new playstyle very often makes it hard to solidify his position and skill set. I still think Rashford is a great player and I think Ten Haag would do to play him where Ole played him.
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