[SambaBoy]

Some very harsh criticism on here. He's just an inconsistent player as are most youngsters. He's definitely a threat and he can have some cracking games when he's on form. I wouldn't say he's in the squad just because he's an academy prospect. He's not the finished article and has a lot of flaws to his game but he's not a striker, that much is clear. He didn't play there for the youth squads and only just started to play there in his last 3 months before LvG picked him.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

He's not a lone striker. He's a wide man or he shouldn't play at all.

That said, his decision making is really brutally bad.

There was that 1 moment when he was played in on goal(it was offsides), and he had a clear shot. Instead he takes a few touches, lets the defender catch up and then turns AWAY from goal. I know it was offsides, but I've no idea what was going through his mind at that point.

 

[SpyLuke10]

Hes not quite good enough atm. Only chance I see of him deservedly getting regular game time is on the right wing. (By deservedly I mean if he is the one coming on for Sanchez every game ahead of Martial its undeserved based on ability and how hes performed for us compared to Martial.)

If Rashford can do well on the right wing then thats the spot where he will establish himself as a starting XI player. However I suspect Lingard will do better than Rashford there...

 

[SpyLuke10]

His best position imo is definitely not on the wing but also definitely not as a lone striker. I reckon as a second striker in a strike partnership would be his best position. ie: Next to Lukaku in a strike partnership. The thing is... I reckon the same thing about Alexis and Martial, and both of them are just better right now.

 

[SpyLuke10]

Im all for him being given chances he just seems to have a very poor footballing brain. Hes a good example of a player who doesnt know when he needs to make a pass - there was a moment in the first half he broke on the left and there must have been 3 other players running on the right side looking to receive the pass but he kept running on the left and got crowded out and lost the ball. Players in his position then with 'intelligence' should be able to have the sense to make a movement/gap to make the pass to the right - instead he kept it

It sounds like you've just described Sterling there haha but you're not wrong with Rashford being a bit like that. Hopefully in 3 years time though Rashford has improved this significantly.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

He looks a shadow of the player he was when we broke through under LVG. I'd actually loan him and play Martial instead. He either needs a change or a few goals soon to give him some confidence.

 

[TheFlagStaysDown]

I feel sorry for him becasue this was a really bad performance, no matter the age, he should have been doing better to justify he's in the line up... needs to be developped as a left winger/striker, he seem to have to many options to do at front. He's lost there, can't hodo the ball, can't make a proper run and win the ball, can't challenge any headers, what's the point playing him up front. In more attackign set up he would be better for sure but there will be games like this and he can't start in those palying like this. From LW he's got only few options and it seems to be a good position for him to develop there or try him fromt he right wing, he's got a good cross but this was meh

 

[TheFlagStaysDown]

He's not a lone striker. He's a wide man or he shouldn't play at all.

That said, his decision making is really brutally bad.

There was that 1 moment when he was played in on goal(it was offsides), and he had a clear shot. Instead he takes a few touches, lets the defender catch up and then turns AWAY from goal. I know it was offsides, but I've no idea what was going through his mind at that point.

yeah that was baffling, he should have smashed it with his left rather than take few more touches being caught by defender and turn... paradoxically I think that Lukaku would do the same in that situation if he had it on his right

 

[Adam-Utd]

It's not even that he's "inconsistent", he cannot/doesn't do the basics as a striker.

He rarely contests a ball in the air, OK he might not be favourite against Morgan/Maguire but at least jump with them and try to make it harder.

His running off the ball is poor, his timing is wrong so often that when the ball is passed he's standing still and looks like he hasn't bothered.

Obviously he's still young, but he needs a lot of coaching.

 

[UncleBob]

It's not even that he's "inconsistent", he cannot/doesn't do the basics as a striker.

He rarely contests a ball in the air, OK he might not be favourite against Morgan/Maguire but at least jump with them and try to make it harder.

His running off the ball is poor, his timing is wrong so often that when the ball is passed he's standing still and looks like he hasn't bothered.

Obviously he's still young, but he needs a lot of coaching.

Jumping for aerial duels depends on the situation. In some cases just contesting for it, even though you don't have a chance, can make it more difficult for the other player. In other cases it's better to avoid it, the player going up to head it will be out of position and there'll be space in behind him or out wide, if a teammate receives the ball it can create chances. There's no golden rule about always contesting for headers, so not all that bothered about it.

Not all that worried about his general play either, it's the first match of the season, let things settle down a bit.

Hopefully they'll sit down with him and show clips from last season, and the offside situation yesterday, then focus on it in training, because it's a bit of a worry that it's not exactly the first time that he goes from being in a goalscoring position to turning away from goal looking for a pass. Just hit it, doesn't matter if it's your weaker foot, from that position and distance it doesn't have to be the best placed shot to result in a goal or a deflection that we score from. Needs to be ruthless when he gets into those areas.

Needs to lower his shoulders a bit, not worrying about not playing the next match if his performance isn't great

 

[OneUnited24]

I know people will say its not an excuse but the lads 20. Time is on his side and a lot of things hes not doing atm will get ironed out through as he gets older and more consistent... I actually cant believe hes only 20, i feel like hes been around for ages!

 

[Adam-Utd]

Jumping for aerial duels depends on the situation. In some cases just contesting for it, even though you don't have a chance, can make it more difficult for the other player. In other cases it's better to avoid it, the player going up to head it will be out of position and there'll be space in behind him or out wide, if a teammate receives the ball it can create chances. There's no golden rule about always contesting for headers, so not all that bothered about it.

Not all that worried about his general play either, it's the first match of the season, let things settle down a bit.

Hopefully they'll sit down with him and show clips from last season, and the offside situation yesterday, then focus on it in training, because it's a bit of a worry that it's not exactly the first time that he goes from being in a goalscoring position to turning away from goal looking for a pass. Just hit it, doesn't matter if it's your weaker foot, from that position and distance it doesn't have to be the best placed shot to result in a goal or a deflection that we score from. Needs to be ruthless when he gets into those areas.

Needs to lower his shoulders a bit, not worrying about not playing the next match if his performance isn't great

Yep that was baffling, just tells me he's low on confidence and not a natural goal scorer. Most good strikers there are taking 1 touch and then hitting it across goal to the corner.

We've obviously got to be patient, but if he's in the first team he should be at a higher level than that.

 

[BusbyMalone]

He should have played on the left wing last night imo. Sanchez would've been much better up front. I prefer Rashford cutting in from the wing personally.

 

[jamiemb]

I find it somewhat worrying that Rashy seems to have his sights set on being a striker. Yesterday he was ineffective yet again in that role. His best performances under Mourinho have all come from the left wing, e.g. Liverpool home last season where we had Lukaku up front and Sanchez in the 10 role. I saw Rashy as our future no.7 and a spiritual successor to Ronaldo, but I'm not sure that will happen now that he has taken on no.10. Either way, he has the talent to become a sensation for us.

 

[Treble]

The spark isn't there. Has lost confidence.

 

[Smores]

I'm starting to think in previous seasons he should have gone out on loan somewhere and we should have got short term cover in.

Now he's in that awkward spot where a loan move would dent his confidence but he's not he's just not good enough for consistent games upfront.

Solution is probably just to stick him in the right and that'll be his position.

 

[Jazz]

He needs to work on his technique and decision making, and needs to stop trying to do too much.

I'm in the minority here, but I think he should not have been given the No 10. He should have been made to work for it. The club and/or Jose have not done him a favour here. They're fast tracking his 'status', instead of focusing on his development.

Ironically, Jose's favouritism of him is not helping the lad imho.

 

[Meep]

Rashford has not show any vision and creativity in his actions. He runs straight ahead until he loses possession or makes a pass to late missing an opening by staring at the ball. He needs to train gymnastics, learn to change direction with the ball, look up and spot passes at the right time. Everything Martial does better than him at the moment in my opinion.

 

[VJ1762]

Dude thinks he has already made it. Looks a bit better than welbeck but that's it.

And don't get me started on the No 10 shirt. It should have been reserved for a superstar, not for a wannabe striker. This guy is not on the level of your RVN's and Rooney's.

 

[Stacks]

He looks a shadow of the player he was when we broke through under LVG. I'd actually loan him and play Martial instead. He either needs a change or a few goals soon to give him some confidence.

Was having this discussion with housemate. It looks increasingly like it was a purple patch of an unknown young player but not reflective of his genuine ability or potential.

 

[An Irish Red]

Was having this discussion with housemate. It looks increasingly like it was a purple patch of an unknown young player but not reflective of his genuine ability or potential.

I'd agree with this, I just don't think he has the tools to be the player that some on here think he can be.

I also think his current status is unfair to him. He isn't good enough to start for any of our rivals but he's been prematurely given a status that he isn't good enough to match.

 

[FootyGirl88]

What concerns me the Most is his decision making - I hope McKenna and Carrick can help him improve on this.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

There was a beautiful run in the second half and had Sanchez played the through ball that was begging to be played, he'd have been one on one with the keeper to score. Those are the kind of breaks he needs falling his way when his confidence is not all there but it didn't happen for him. I felt sad watching that.

 

[Stacks]

Yes. At the moment, he certainly isn't. But i did think he showed some great positioning at times actually. Its a young kid and as a striker he needs to improve these things which may take some time.

If you just let him play his natural game from the left, especially when he is on form, he will look like a wordbeater in the making. I think its smart to play him more as a CF tho, if only for his development.

Hasn't since 2016.

It's weird to say he can't dribble just because he's also capable of outpacing people. I'm not going down this rabbit hole. Suffice to say, Rashford will fill out, his decision making will improve and he will become a better player in time. And he's already good enough to play a squad role at Manchester United, so hopefully he becomes proper first team material and maybe even world class.

Crying after a decent performance from a young player against a good team when he's not even match fit. This forum is full of shite.

biggest maybe in the history of football. I actually question his basic natural talent which is my concern. Its all well and good him being young and inconsistent but I genuinely doubt his natural ability. I feel plenty of young players will soon overtake him and you won't even be speaking of him anymore.

 

[Dante]

I've generally been quite positive about Rashford.

Even when he's been making mistakes, it's been clear it's because he's trying something different and expanding his game.

But yesterday he was just poor. There's no getting away from it.

 

[Lebo]

He isn' t doing enough to stay in the team but none of our attackers are. I'll reserve my comment until we have a functional attacking plan.

 

[arthurka]

It was between him and Sanchez how was worse . Not good enough .

 

[CG1010]

Think he was injured /not fully fit. Mourinho alluded to this in post match comments. You guys need to hold your fire for now. It's a big season for him though to prove himself.

 

[Jib]

That moment when we counter and Rashford just missed his opportunity to made a pass for Pogba in 2 on 2 situation was very poor. Either as winger or striker, he just lack of decision making. Piss poor today

He's selfish

 

[Apokalips]

Poor performance. He played without any intelligence at all. That one on one was ridiculously poor as were a couple of the breaks he killed. I definitely agree that his status as an academy prospect saves him a lot of criticism.

I love the lad and hope he becomes a legend, but he has a lot of improving to do.

 

[Oldyella]

Think he was injured /not fully fit. Mourinho alluded to this in post match comments. You guys need to hold your fire for now. It's a big season for him though to prove himself.

Yeah, he is not long back like the other guys who went far in the wc. Still think he's best in a front two though, don't think he will ever make a good lone front man

 

[NJM78]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say he is overrated. Hopefully he can get to a better and more consistent level as he gets older. Being a home grown youth player, it is special what he has accomplised in the past 2.5 years but I dont think he has the tools to be a world class player unfortunately.

 

[Dante]

He's better than Zaha at the same age.

 

[Dante]

He's selfish

He's being asked to be selfish.

Rashford's natural game is to make simple passes and lay-offs. Now he's driving at teams and trying to make things happen. It's a apect of football that requires a lot of confidence so it's nice to see him try it.

It's a learning process, albeit a frustrating one for the fans. One way or another, he'll come out of this a better player.

 

[11101]

He has everything in his game now except the ability to make the correct decision. It's going to be tough for him to learn that, and we cant really afford him the luxury of breaking down most of the attacks he is involved in until he does.

I think he goes one of two ways, either he stagnates for a couple more years before moving to a mid table club, or he adapts to the right forward position. He doesn't have it in him to be a starting striker for a top club.

 

[MikeKing]

Hasn't since 2016.

I think thats a bit harsh. When he is on form, and in patches, he certainly has. He hasn't found any real consistency since becoming a first team player, but to be fair i think the expectations has just become higher and higher while his development hasn't matched that. His quick rise to fame will do that, and while some see it as he has stagnated, or maybe that he never was as talented as they first thought, i just think he'll come around and i'm not worried. Im not sure he will ever become the superstar he is made out to be already by some, but then again who knows.

 

[0le]

I would like to remind everyone that Rashford is 20 years old. What were you doing at that age? Were there things you would have done differently? He is still a very young lad. The way the team attacks at present suggest to me our attack coaching isn't at the same level as say, City or Pool. Yes, he had a poor game, but give him time, because decision making is something that can be taught, and Marcus is a level headed individual who I think would be very willing to learn from these mistakes.

 

[Fracture90]

Our style of play does him no favours whatsoever, he will never get a sniff of a long ball with Morgan and McBaine behind him, 2 absolute units.

 

[Silas]

He's being asked to be selfish.

Rashford's natural game is to make simple passes and lay-offs. Now he's driving at teams and trying to make things happen. It's a apect of football that requires a lot of confidence so it's nice to see him try it.

It's a learning process, albeit a frustrating one for the fans. One way or another, he'll come out of this a better player.

Did he tell you anything else during your chat?

 

[Dante]

Did he tell you anything else during your chat?

It's not his natural game. So it's obviously something he's added for a reason. And because he continues to do it (despite mixed results), it must be a directive from the manager.