[MadDogg]

No matter how much PR puppeteering his management team can come up with, they can’t spin the fact St Marcus is nothing more than a slightly above average footballer.

On his day he is brilliant. The problem is he's barely had any 'on days' since he returned from having the bad back injury during lockdown last season. It makes you wonder if that injury has had a more long-term impact (either physically or mentally) on him that we would have liked, but every now and then he randomly has a performance where he seems back to his best. It should be noted that RVP had a similar injury in his younger days and he said he never fully recovered from it, so it is a bit worrying although RVP obviously still went on to be very good.

There's two ways to look at it. The fact that Rashford has still managed to score and assist so many goals this season despite being poor in the vast majority of matches is a great attribute to have, and imagine how many he'll get when he actually starts playing well again. On the other hand, if those goals and assists dry up he's basically a net negative as we saw today.

 

[shamans]

I get his contributions for us an honestly a great player to have around. He will have great games as well but he's simply not the player you all make him up to be.

 

[Beachryan]

I've no problem with things not coming off for him, but if you want to be a starting forward for Manchester United you should at least be bothered to keep trying. His attitude today was absolutely terrible, from the first to the last minute.

Now maybe he's injured in which case that can be partly put back on Ole, but regardless, his lack of effort, interest and focus was palpable. Fergie would have absolutely roasted him, and we'd not see him for a month.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

He needs to step it up.

 

[DOTA]

He's averaging just under a goal every two games the last two seasons, playing in three different positions. Had a poor game tonight but he is someone who wins us a lot of points and not anywhere near the top of our list of worries.

 

[el3mel]

I feel like he still had a good workrate during the 18/19 season. It's why a lot of us noticed immediately when 19/20 started that his workrate was so different.

I feel it's a problem of ego. Earlier he was a young kid working hard to keep his position in the main team. He acts like prime Ronaldo on the pitch now. Someone in the club needs to tell him that he needs to work hard for his position and he hasn't achieved such big status in football yet.

 

[el3mel]

I kind of agree but options to replace him are not great at the moment and he does have that moment of brilliance in him, that kind people like saying Ole relies on. Less chance of Dan James providing that even when fully fit unfortunately

A fully fit player will offer more than an injured player no matter what. Beside, if he's really injured, he's risking aggravating it which will just hurt us in the long term.

 

[SATA]

The crowd would have roasted him right there if fans were allowed into the stadium watching that and he will be probably be more arsed to run and defend in that moment

 

[klayton88]

He's unsubbable. Him and Martial know Greenwood will be hooked before them.

 

[Amar__]

He is my favourite player, but injured or no injured his mentality and attitude is nowhere near the player he was when he broke. It's quite obvious that someone has instructed him to stop running for whatever the reason, and it's made him far worse player.

He also shouldn't be playing this much football, even if he is playing well, let alone this inconsitent. I think giving him so much playing time and playing him in every game no matter of his form is actually ruining his development.

 

[Devil81]

He's got to be injured surely because were not seeing any bursting runs, teams are just standing him up knowing he's likely to give it away with his poor passing ability.

If there was a more capable player he'd deserve a stint on the bench in my opinion. Unfortunately there isn't though.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

He is my favourite player, but injured or no injured his mentality and attitude is nowhere near the player he was when he broke. It's quite obvious that someone has instructed him to stop running for whatever the reason, and it's made him far worse player.

He also shouldn't be playing this much football, even if he is playing well, let alone this inconsitent. I think giving him so much playing time and playing him in every game no matter of his form is actually ruining his development.

He charged round the pitch like a prime Rooney when he first broke and that was probably unsustainable for him so I guess that he was told to reign it in. In some situations though he's got to be smarter because he can help out without breaking his back.

 

[Vaibhav Raj]

He was always inconsistent and a bit low on footballing IQ like some of our other attackers. What set him apart though was his workrate, self-confidence. He never looked like was sulking, never looked like he'd given hope and never looked like he's tired of chasing even the lost causes. But, for past five or six matches, something just feels off about him. He is pressing in a very lazy manner, doesn't care to stick a leg out to try and win the ball when close to a player, doesn't bother to challenge a defender for a header. He sulks now when the passes to him are not done right.

This is just my observation but it sure feels like there's something off about him which is strange considering he is doing well in his personal life as well as was doing well on the pitch a month or so back.

Credit where credit is due and he still comes up with important contributions, moments of quality.

 

[arnie_ni]

He needs to stop dropping deep and trying to be a playmaker. I know he had that pass to greenwood but its not his game.

Hes getting in Bruno and pogbas way and limits their options. Play high on the shoulder and just concentrate on scoring

 

[Chabon]

People’s opinions oscillate wildly after each performance, but it’s incredibly obvious what the truth is: he’s an inconsistent attacking player, like most are.

When we used to win the league we didn’t have four Ronaldos or Rooneys in the attack, we were never that rich. In that regard It’s easy to imagine Rashford being part of a title-winning side. The problem we have is that we’re playing four Nanis. Well, more like three Nanis and a Bellion right now.

 

[Leftback99]

We have too many of them (Pogba, Martial, Bruno, Greenwood) but he is arguably the worst of our players for looking brilliant one game and shocking the next.

 

[Red00012]

“Has an injury”

“Carrying a knock”

“Maybe personal issues”

I’m sure that would wash with Roy Keane if he was in the side.
“Don’t worry about tracking back Marcus lad, you’re carrying a knock and have things your mind”

Can almost hear it now. Maybe his real issue is fatigue through carrying other peoples excuses around with him.

This .

Rashford FC fans have destroyed Martial FC

 

[stw2022]

People’s opinions oscillate wildly after each performance, but it’s incredibly obvious what the truth is: he’s an inconsistent attacking player, like most are.

When we used to win the league we didn’t have four Ronaldos or Rooneys in the attack, we were never that rich. In that regard It’s easy to imagine Rashford being part of a title-winning side. The problem we have is that we’re playing four Nanis. Well, more like three Nanis and a Bellion right now.

Exactly. Though I don’t think opinions do oscillate that much for those of us who have seen a player stagnate over a significant period. The problem is those who’ll insist he’s brilliant and proved that anyone who criticised him isn’t a true fan because he scored via a deflection a month ago

Any suggestion he is much more than an average player who, in an ideal world, would be fortunate to be a squad rotation option for sides challenging for the title, borders on Stockholm syndrome

 

[Plymouth Red]

People’s opinions oscillate wildly after each performance, but it’s incredibly obvious what the truth is: he’s an inconsistent attacking player, like most are.

When we used to win the league we didn’t have four Ronaldos or Rooneys in the attack, we were never that rich. In that regard It’s easy to imagine Rashford being part of a title-winning side. The problem we have is that we’re playing four Nanis. Well, more like three Nanis and a Bellion right now.

You’re using inconsistency as an excuse but you are applying it to his entire performance, which I think is mistaken.
I agree a forward can have poor patches when they miss chances but they can still work their socks off in ever game. Dan James is such a player.
Lack of effort like we saw last night from Rashford, is a personal choice.

 

[Bristol_Red_87]

Rashford has been fairly indicative of the team as a whole, brilliant in moments but utterly frustrating on the whole.

I cannot comprehend that he is not injured, he looks like he is being managed through games.

He regularly makes an attempt to close a player but once the ball goes beyond the half way line he puts the breaks on. That says to me he's being told to;

a) Conserve energy and;
b) Provide an attacking outlet if we win the ball back

If he isn't injured, his performances have absolutely nowhere to hide.

But if Rashford his carrying an injury, it could be something he ends up managing for the rest of his career (if it as severe as some have made out), so he (and Ole) will have to find a more effective way to get the best out of himself.

In the short term, he clearly needs rotating more as part of that management.

 

[Zlatan 7]

Rashford has been fairly indicative of the team as a whole, brilliant in moments but utterly frustrating on the whole.

I cannot comprehend that he is not injured, he looks like he is being managed through games.

He regularly makes an attempt to close a player but once the ball goes beyond the half way line he puts the breaks on. That says to me he's being told to;

a) Conserve energy and;
b) Provide an attacking outlet if we win the ball back

If he isn't injured, his performances have absolutely nowhere to hide.

But if Rashford his carrying an injury, it could be something he ends up managing for the rest of his career (if it as severe as some have made out), so he (and Ole) will have to find a more effective way to get the best out of himself.

In the short term, he clearly needs rotating more as part of that management.

I definitely agree with this and it looks like he’s being managed through games, the no challenge for Ariel balls and not chasing back must be instructed.

 

[Doracle]

Exactly. Though I don’t think opinions do oscillate that much for those of us who have seen a player stagnate over a significant period. The problem is those who’ll insist he’s brilliant and proved that anyone who criticised him isn’t a true fan because he scored via a deflection a month ago

Any suggestion he is much more than an average player who, in an ideal world, would be fortunate to be a squad rotation option for sides challenging for the title, borders on Stockholm syndrome

He’s got 51 goals and assists in 76 matches since the start of last season, primarily playing as a right or left sided forward and having had a significant injury during that time. Whilst I agree his performances are still more inconsistent than ideal, the suggestion he’s an average player is pure nonsense. He’s one of the world’s top players.

 

[Doracle]

I definitely agree with this and it looks like he’s being managed through games, the no challenge for Ariel balls and not chasing back must be instructed.

Agree with this. The suggestions that he’s lazy or arrogant on here are extremely disappointing. Nothing about what we know about Rashford is in any way supportive of him being either of those things.

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

Last night reminded me of when people on here called him 'Rashbonlahor' and 'Rashbeck'.

 

[PureCantona7]

I think it's a fitness issue as in carrying a knock or fatigue but what it does highlight is his a bit of a one trick pony, kick the ball ahead and try out run the opponent.

Soon as any team sit back they nullify that.

Watch him during the match he 'sulks' like mad when his party trick is equalised.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Agree with this. The suggestions that he’s lazy or arrogant on here are extremely disappointing. Nothing about what we know about Rashford is in any way supportive of him being either of those things.

Oh yeah, definitely instructed to do this. There is ZERO excuses for this type of effort.

 

[tomaldinho1]

If ever it was obvious he wasn’t at the races, just watch the replay of that McGoldrick outside of the foot export, he simply couldn’t be bothered to mark him and just stops.

Edit. Literally someone else just posted the exact same above.

 

[Tom Van Persie]

It was a mistake to play him. He picked up a pretty bad knock against Liverpool. Could've done with the night off.

 

[Vaibhav Raj]

This .

Rashford FC fans have destroyed Martial FC

I don't really subscribe to either of the FCs but I suppose why Rashford has it easier in terms of criticism is because he still comes up with critical contributions while playing going through a poor run. His assist for Greenwood goal against Liverpool in FA Cup is a very recent example. Certainly more than Martial does. It has been stated several times but I understand it is much more like a forum if we pretend there's some conspiracy and/or favouritism going on.

 

[bsCallout]

He's a clever kid, making a mint, lining up a career in politics and avoiding CTE.

 

[bsCallout]

I definitely agree with this and it looks like he’s being managed through games, the no challenge for Ariel balls and not chasing back must be instructed.

It's incredible that we'd assume that's instructed. Surely if it was instructed then the players would be advised to not play high balls to him.

 

[Zlatan 7]

[

It's incredible that we'd assume that's instructed. Surely if it was instructed then the players would be advised to not play high balls to him.

good point but I don’t think they do play many high balls to him that he has to challenge in the air for, obviously it’s going to happen sometimes from clearances and such.
Something I could look at closer in the future

edit: I’m not excusing the below vid btw, just saying that I don’t think he’s fully right and holding back and staff know about it

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Oh yeah, definitely instructed to do this. There is ZERO excuses for this type of effort.

That's worse than I remembered it. He tells Maguire to cover the other man and then lets his own man go! Bizarre piece of play.

 

[future2future]

I haven't analyzed but I feel Rashford's been better and more dangerous with Cavani, and worse when playing with Martial. Maybe because with Cavani defenses have their hands full, so more space and opportunity for Rashford whereas Martial doesn't do anything at all

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Last night he just suffered the fate of all our forwards in we couldn’t work or get the ball in to good areas for them to really do anything and that Shefield United just defended very well. There were bad bits of control or poor passes from them all but they basically were up against a pink wall and there was no way through.

As for the not tracking back it’s been something he’s been doing for a long time and it’s not something that sits right with me. Felt against Liverpool it was ridiculous that he would just let 3 players go at our LB whilst he watched. Even if Ole had said try to get behind Arnold when he goes forward. Surely something in your brain should click and work out 3 players going at 1 is a bad thing and dangerous and he should do something about it.

 

[Ash_G]

Have said it before but I think his stats do flatter him to some extent. He's a good player, so playing the way he does for us will mean that he does get goals and assists but as others have pointed out his general demeanor on the pitch isn't good enough imo. Too often he seems disinterested in doing anything if he himself can't get in to a scoring position. I can't think of what he does to create space for others or actually put in crosses etc. He does try the occasional through pass which sometimes works but from wide areas I really don't think he is doing what he should be creatively.

On his own you could maybe deal with it but with Greenwood generally doing the same and Martial out of form it's a definite problem particularly as Bruno has gone off the boil a little.

It's hard to know how much of it is Rashford and how much of it is coaching. I'm inclined to think it's more coaching as I don't see Rashford as someone who will disobey instructions and we have the same issue with Greenwood. We can point at Rashford though along with others to lack of effort. Some of that is clearly tactical e.g. at times he's clearly told to let the FB go so that we have a chance on the counter but some of it can't be instructed.

 

[Adam-Utd]

That's worse than I remembered it. He tells Maguire to cover the other man and then lets his own man go! Bizarre piece of play.

It's bad enough that he does it when he's higher up the pitch, but to pretend he's marking somebody and then just let them run off you with zero attempt at following them is just shockingly poor.

Pogba used to get slaughtered for doing a lot less, it's not even a difficult skill it's just showing a bit of desire.

That's the biggest difference between us and Liverpool IMO. Their forwards have bought into pressing quickly, ours see it as hassle and not their job.

 

[HowieC]

He is just mediocre with the occasional flash to keep his fanclub alive.

 

[lex talionis]

It was a mistake to play him. He picked up a pretty bad knock against Liverpool. Could've done with the night off.

Agree. Ole understands the physical demands on professional footballers much better than we do, but Rashford clearly needed a rest last night. Like Bruno, he looked shattered against Sheffield.

We talked about this in the match buildup, but we would have done well to rest Rashford and Bruno and start Mata or James along with Donny. There’s obviously a drop in quality but we knew Sheffield would sit deep and take their chances on free kicks. Instead, we ran Rashford and Bruno further into the ground, we got the loss we deserved, with Arsenal coming up this weekend.

Poor management to not recognize that Rashford needed to benched for this one.

 

[Ali Dia]

You’re using inconsistency as an excuse but you are applying it to his entire performance, which I think is mistaken.
I agree a forward can have poor patches when they miss chances but they can still work their socks off in ever game. Dan James is such a player.
Lack of effort like we saw last night from Rashford, is a personal choice.

It seems to be the case. It can’t be coaching. Don’t track back there 10 yards. Save your energy for when you turn back and pass it back into midfield the next time you get the ball. It’s not like his lack of defending is helping his attacking play in any way