[UnitedSofa]

That's a very low bar of "some work rate".

Mate. It was 20 minutes. He was moving just above walking pace. It’s unacceptable.

I’ll go as far as saying that if he had ran for twenty minutes, we would have won the game.

It was an embarrassment.

Look at how Martinelli or Rice got involved in their cameos the previous night. High energy, hard running.

I’m not expecting him to do the rabid stupid running that Bruno does, but it was twenty minutes. No footage should exist of him trotting. Let alone several. Just fecking run. Bare minimum.

We (rightly) railed against Ronaldo and he put in waaaaaay more effort when necessary. How have we let ourselves be gaslit into accepting it?

Its the 83rd minute and we are leading 3-2. His job at that point in a game with a lead is to help defend the lead. Yes if the situation is we are chasing a score or much earlier in a game he should be conserving himself to make fast sharp attacking runs then he should be moving that way. However that wasnt the situation. 83rd minute, defending a lead. Also he had oly been on for 25 minutes at that point. Context matters and in this context his application was utter shit.

Football out of possession is about keeping a compact shape, so the gaps between players are small and they can't pass through you.

With the ball, the best way to open these gaps is by stretching the play I.e switching.

So as an attacking player nearest the ball, your primary objective is to prevent the switch by using your angle of approach to block it off, if you run too fast it's harder to change direction, so you slowly approach from an angle that forces the attacking player to keep going down the line, so the unit behind you can stay close together

 

[clarkydaz]

I'm sure Rashy isn't intentionally not trying, I just think his heart isn't in it anymore.

thats pretty much the same thing. Unless he has heavy heart syndrome

 

[Irwin99]

It wasn’t a perfectly reasonable call though. Chelsea away is a perfect match for Rashford, with their set up. He’s been in good form recently and I’m relatively confident we win that match with the Rashford-Hojlund-Garnacho front 3 (even Antony was breezing past the Chelsea right back - Garnacho would have had him on toast).

As for Rashford’s performance, he was tidy enough. Nice bit of link up play to set up the goal and some good tracking back. Had as many successful passes as Hojlund managed in 70 minutes.

Frustrating that we isolated him in the last 10 minutes or so (switching him to the wing and moving Bruno to the false 9 position would have been far better). We really should have been able to create some chances when Chelsea looked to push forwards but we sat too deep.

I don't think EtH was just being polite by saying he was being saved for Sunday's game, I think he really was being rested for that match. It just indirectly says a lot about his energy levels (attitude?) that two starts for him in one week might be considered a bit much.

Didn't think he did a lot wrong when he came on but was just a bit uninspiring. I really wish he'd get himself sorted out because we really need him for the next 9 or 10 games which are already looking grim. He's in his prime, he's one of the senior players, people expect things from him.

 

[Ali Dia]

Have his PR firm come out saying that we all have to be nice to him yet?

That’ll be tomorrow. They need the whole night to word the statement just right.

What’s the bets he somehow still starts the next game?

 

[git_united]

Football out of possession is about keeping a compact shape, so the gaps between players are small and they can't pass through you.

With the ball, the best way to open these gaps is by stretching the play I.e switching.

So as an attacking player nearest the ball, your primary objective is to prevent the switch by using your angle of approach to block it off, if you run too fast it's harder to change direction, so you slowly approach from an angle that forces the attacking player to keep going down the line, so the unit behind you can stay close together

This seems like spin. There are ways to cut the angle that puts one in a position to take advantage and force errors. Martial does that quite well actually. That’s not what Rashford does and definitely not what he’s doing in those clips. You don’t go all out sprinting but neither do you jog over.

 

[SAF is the GOAT]

 

[Remember the geese]

Stop speaking so positively. Rashford is shit and there is no fight for a Champions League spot. Also, he shouldn't be going to the Euros.

 

[united for life]

comments like this neither help Erik nor Marcus. If this is progress, the it means ETH is clueless and has low standards. It also means that Rashford’s capabilities are limited to the extent what we are seeing is considered progress.

the worrying things is that I think both are true. Marcus is limited and ETH is clueless.

 

[TMDaines]

There’s not a manager on the planet who wants/expects his attacking players to only ever sprint towards the opposition goal. And this includes ETH. Who signed Antony, one of the most defensively hard working wide attackers in the league (apparently the highest number of final third possession wins in the league, so far this season) The idea that he briefs Antony to work his bollox off winning possession up high and tracking back to help out his full back, while asking Rashford to save his legs for running in behind just doesn't wash.

I’ve heard Carl Anka (who makes money from a children’s book he wrote for Rashford) try to use this argument to defend Rashford’s lack of effort. I’m amazed anyone would take it seriously.

I didn’t think asymmetry in footballing setups was going to be a controversial topic. Of course, he instructs Rashford and Antony to do two entirely different things, even if one nominally plays most weeks on the left wing as a right-footer and one on the right wing as a left-footer in mirrored positions on paper.

The two players have had substantially different roles since Antony joined the club. One generally plays as the most advanced and attack-minded player in the team as an inside forward, even with Hojlund in the team, whilst the other plays as a fairly defensive inverted winger between the opposition defence and midfield. Expecting Rashford to have the same output tracking back and defending is as nonsensical as expecting Antony to make the same volume of runs in behind, and getting good chances from those runs.

Of course Carl Anka, who has actually been pretty down on Rashford recently, makes that point. It is very apparent they are two different players with two different roles. Most successful teams have two different types of wide players, either side of the field, for balance.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I didn’t think asymmetry in footballing setups was going to be a controversial topic. Of course, he instructs Rashford and Antony to do two entirely different things, even if one nominally plays most weeks on the left wing as a right-footer and one on the right wing as a left-footer in mirrored positions on paper.

The two players have had substantially different roles since Antony joined the club. One generally plays as the most advanced and attack-minded player in the team as an inside forward, even with Hojlund in the team, whilst the other plays as a fairly defensive inverted winger between the opposition defence and midfield. Expecting Rashford to have the same output tracking back and defending is as nonsensical as expecting Antony to make the same volume of runs in behind, and getting good chances from those runs.

Of course Carl Anka, who has actually been pretty down on Rashford recently, makes that point. It is very apparent they are two different players with two different roles. Most successful teams have two different types of wide players, either side of the field, for balance.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Football out of possession is about keeping a compact shape, so the gaps between players are small and they can't pass through you.

With the ball, the best way to open these gaps is by stretching the play I.e switching.

So as an attacking player nearest the ball, your primary objective is to prevent the switch by using your angle of approach to block it off, if you run too fast it's harder to change direction, so you slowly approach from an angle that forces the attacking player to keep going down the line, so the unit behind you can stay close together

Mate, he could have challenged for the ball on twenty different occasions. He was moving like Jan Molby. He was ALWAYS behind play. It was a joke.

 

[lex talionis]

comments like this neither help Erik nor Marcus. If this is progress, the it means ETH is clueless and has low standards. It also means that Rashford’s capabilities are limited to the extent what we are seeing is considered progress.

the worrying things is that I think both are true. Marcus is limited and ETH is clueless.

There's a bit too much of Baghdad Bob in Erik ten Hag's public statements about his players. You never want to see a manager besmirch his players but you also don't want to see laughably false praise either.

 

[united for life]

There's a bit too much of Baghdad Bob in Erik ten Hag's public statements about his players. You never want to see a manager besmirch his players but you also don't want to see laughably false praise either.

spot on. Never try to argue against something that is clear and obvious.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Marcus is limited and ETH is clueless.

Rashford is "limited" if you compare to him to an actual, genuine "world class" player of the sort United used to have. He's very good on his day, but he's miles away from being an exceptional player at the highest level.

 

[Pyro19]

He's completely delusional isn't he?

 

[Pyro19]

Football out of possession is about keeping a compact shape, so the gaps between players are small and they can't pass through you.

With the ball, the best way to open these gaps is by stretching the play I.e switching.

So as an attacking player nearest the ball, your primary objective is to prevent the switch by using your angle of approach to block it off, if you run too fast it's harder to change direction, so you slowly approach from an angle that forces the attacking player to keep going down the line, so the unit behind you can stay close together

I wish someone told this to City, Liverpool and Arsenal players when they are breaking their neck to close down opposition players.

Deary me - Are you Rashford's brother by any chance?

 

[united for life]

Rashford is "limited" if you compare to him to an actual, genuine "world class" player of the sort United used to have. He's very good on his day, but he's miles away from being an exceptional player at the highest level.

“his day” doesn’t come often i’n afraid. He’s average, it took me time accept this fact as there were lots of hope for him to be a legend of the club. Didn’t happen unfortunately

 

[Oscar Bonavena]

There was a noticeable drop off in intensity once Rashford came on, and Chelsea took over control of the game. We didn't look a fraction as dangerous on the break either which is supposed to be one of his strengths.

He set up Antony for the assist but it was a fairly routine pass into space. Christ if he couldn't make that he may as well retire!

I dunno, looks like he doesn't want to play for the club anymore. I think a move in the summer would be best for all parties and we can get players in who want to play.

 

[Strangest Tribe]

if you run too fast it's harder to change direction, so you slowly approach from an angle that forces the attacking player to keep going down the line, so the unit behind you can stay close together

I’ve seen some bizarre takes trying to defend Rashford but this absolutely tops the lot, don’t press them hard, just approach like a ninja, slowly and stealth them into making a mistake. Well done sir

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He's completely delusional isn't he?

Why? Everything he says there is factual? Rashford’s form has improved recently (which isn’t hard tbf but still technically true) Plus he obviously wants to win things and that should give him lots of motivation. Facts, from start to finish.

 

[Paddymcc]

The first 20 minutes of him coming on he touched the ball 3 times.

Says it all really.

 

[UnitedSofa]

I wish someone told this to City, Liverpool and Arsenal players when they are breaking their neck to close down opposition players.

Deary me - Are you Rashford's brother by any chance?

Salah…….

 

[Pughnichi]

If we push him out this season there won't be much money since his value will drop very soon once Euro squad announce

With Rashford's uninspiring display and Palmer's the exact opposite, figure this mark the end of Rashford's Euro hope. Basically Rashford is fighting for the last place on either wing with Palmer whom was the only one that was not played by Southgate last friendlies.

England forward wing is fully packed with talents: Saka, Bowen, Gordon, Foden, Grealish. Palmer. That is 6, 3 on each flanks, and Southgate will pick 4 or max 5. No chance for Rashford to be striker either, Toney or Walkins, either one or potentially both will be Kane's back up (if both then wings will be cut down to 4 players)

His value has already dropped. Regardless of euro squads…and his value has dropped for good reason. He’s just not very good…so then why keep him

 

[Stack]

Football out of possession is about keeping a compact shape, so the gaps between players are small and they can't pass through you.

With the ball, the best way to open these gaps is by stretching the play I.e switching.

So as an attacking player nearest the ball, your primary objective is to prevent the switch by using your angle of approach to block it off, if you run too fast it's harder to change direction, so you slowly approach from an angle that forces the attacking player to keep going down the line, so the unit behind you can stay close together

As an attacking player the angle you run defensively can help determine where the opposition move with the ball. If you angle your run you can "encourage the opposition player towards the sideline for instance and in doing so narrow the space available for the opposition to operate, squeezing them into a tighter area where its then easier to pressure for the ball. Out of possession you are able to stifle the oppositions ability to switch play.
Football out of possession is far more than just keeping compact, you dont have to simply wait and see what the opposition will do, you can move individually and collectively in a manner which means the opposition has to go to where you want.
Rashfords effort was completely hopeless, his angle of his run, his body shape and his positioning the sort of things that 14 year olds do better.

 

[iammemphis]

Salah…….

Rashford could sit on a deck chair in the centre circle for all i care if he was still producing assists, goals and performances consistently like Salah has in his time at Liverpool.

 

[GiddyUp]

He should go to MLS. He'd be a God to them.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Salah…….

Were Liverpool down to ten or nine men at that point?

 

[Salford_Red83]

Rashford is trash, and has been for the past 4/5 years. He had a run of games where things went right for him in front of goal but his general play was still as terrible as it ever was, his goals just masked that.

If INEOS are serious about us moving forward he is one of the players that need to leave.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Rashford could sit on a deck chair in the centre circle for all i care if he was still producing assists, goals and performances consistently like Salah has in his time at Liverpool.

True, I didn't care about his lack of pressing last season. I didn't care about Ronaldo being lazy off the ball when he was scoring 40 goals for us.

I think most of us would much rather Rashford got back to his goal scoring and creating than that he suddenly became a pressing monster. It is just that if you aren't scoring or creating enough then at least work up a tiny sweat off the ball.

 

[The Urban Goose]

I don't think criticism of this quote is justified, it reads to me as close as public criticism as any decent coach would make.

"His form is progressing", i.e. his form is crap and we're hoping will improve. It's certainly no claim that he's doing well.

His motivation "should" be high, i.e. come on Marcus, if you want champions league or euros you need to start producing.

Expecting ETH to come out and say "yeah, Rashford is playing like shite" is delusional.

 

[Malons]

I'm sure Rashy isn't intentionally not trying, I just think his heart isn't in it anymore.

Fine, but he isn't conscripted to be here. It's also where his upbringing in the club and nationality comes into play. Because if he was a Frenchman we signed to a £350k a week "his heart isn't in it" would have us raging at his performances rather than this 'aww, bless' response Rashford seems to get.

 

[FootballAI]

His value has already dropped. Regardless of euro squads…and his value has dropped for good reason. He’s just not very good…so then why keep him

If we have a choice I would replace the majority of our team frankly, not just Rashford. However, Rashford is not the main problem, there are a number of positions that we need to replace first and we can not break our bank and the financial rule to buy too many. We need a worldclass DM (replace Casemiro), worldclass CB (replace Varane and/or Lindelof), a good Left Back cover, a good Striker cover, a good winger (replace Antony). That is close to 400mp in spending. If we sell Rashford then we must also sell Antony and buy 2 new wing forwards, otherwise I rather we keep Rashford and sell Antony only.

 

[Malons]

If we have a choice I would replace the majority of our team frankly, not just Rashford. However, Rashford is not the main problem, there are a number of positions that we need to replace first and we can not break our bank and the financial rule to buy too many. We need a worldclass DM (replace Casemiro), worldclass CB (replace Varane and/or Lindelof), a good Left Back cover, a good Striker cover, a good winger (replace Antony). That is close to 400mp in spending. If we sell Rashford then we must also sell Antony and buy 2 new wing forwards, otherwise I rather we keep Rashford and sell Antony only.

There are other issues but Rashford is the main one. You have to factor in off the field stuff too. Nobody symbolises the decline more than him. From the Ferguson era where manager would expect 100% from the players, who in turn would expect 100% from each other and probably 110% from themselves to the man who only really bothers if he stars align and he's hearts in it whilst being our highest paid 'stars' - needs to be the priority to get out the door.

Don't care if we had CM with one leg and a right back without a head, you need to get rid of Rashford and everything he stands for and everything he represents as a priority for long term benefit of the club.

 

[Oranges038]

If we push him out this season there won't be much money since his value will drop very soon once Euro squad announce

With Rashford's uninspiring display and Palmer's the exact opposite, figure this mark the end of Rashford's Euro hope. Basically Rashford is fighting for the last place on either wing with Palmer whom was the only one that was not played by Southgate last friendlies.

England forward wing is fully packed with talents: Saka, Bowen, Gordon, Foden, Grealish. Palmer. That is 6, 3 on each flanks, and Southgate will pick 4 or max 5. No chance for Rashford to be striker either, Toney or Walkins, either one or potentially both will be Kane's back up (if both then wings will be cut down to 4 players)

Missing out on the Euros might be a good thing for him, could give him a kick up the hole he badly needs and a bit of time off during the summer to refocus.

I'd ship him out, not because of the lack of effort, but because I don't think he's really all that. Technically he's good. But, too often he's selfish, lazy, makes poor decisions, his passing is generally poor, he doesn't make intelligent runs around the box, cannot play against a deep defensive line and most importantly he's just not clinical enough in front of goal.

He'll be here for the foreseeable, don't think he'll leave this summer, he stays and he will continue to divide opinion.

 

[AndySmith1990]

I'm sure Rashy isn't intentionally not trying, I just think his heart isn't in it anymore.

Then he should terminate his contract and feck off. It's not morally right to keep taking money from the club if he doesn't want to be playing football anymore

 

[FootballAI]

There are other issues but Rashford is the main one. You have to factor in off the field stuff too. Nobody symbolises the decline more than him. From the Ferguson era where manager would expect 100% from the players, who in turn would expect 100% from each other and probably 110% from themselves to the man who only really bothers if he stars align and he's hearts in it whilst being our highest paid 'stars' - needs to be the priority to get out the door.

Don't care if we had CM with one leg and a right back without a head, you need to get rid of Rashford and everything he stands for and everything he represents as a priority for long term benefit of the club.

Are you a horror movie director?

That is not how we improve the team, we need to target to solve the bigger problems first.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Nope, he likes him running in behind, which for some reason a lot of people want to pretend isn’t a form of workrate, yet it was the bedrock of ETH’s most successful period at the club.

Good one. The world’s best attackers work hard for their team but apparently Rashford can’t because he’s busy making runs in behind while the opposition has the ball.

 

[M16Red]

This picture somes Rashford up defensively.

I just don't get it with him, he is a seasoned pro and a South Manchester Manc he should be closing that other Manc down with intent.

Soft as pig sh*t or carring a worry of injury? Or mental?

Rashford 2019...

 

[-Supreme-]

Good one. The world’s best attackers work hard for their team but apparently Rashford can’t because he’s busy making runs in behind while the opposition has the ball.

And we have heard this excuse under Ole, but apparently this is (again) down to instructions when ETH doesn’t set his team to counter but this specific instruction is only catered for Rashford regardless of the tactics or managers in charge

 

[RedStarUnited]

Nope, he likes him running in behind, which for some reason a lot of people want to pretend isn’t a form of workrate, yet it was the bedrock of ETH’s most successful period at the club.

You are talking as if ETH has had some great years with us, His successful period at most is 5/6 months.

And anyway you prove my point, if ETH thinks its okay to work like Rashford then so be it, he is done here.