Rashford | Villa | Loan with option to buy

[rimaldo]

I think him not rushing back was instructions as obviously Salah stays around the halfway line ready for counters rather than constantly tracking back to help out Robertson so risk and reward.

He's been alright so far but it's obvious this is just a convenient loan to get him properly in the shop window so not going to get too attached to him unless he wins us the FA Cup which would be historic.

That break in the first half for the disallowed goal when he broke quickly, played a lovely one-two and then hit in good cross was him at his best so want to see more of that in the coming weeks.

yeah there are instructions and there is using your brain. if there is plenty of cover and the defence is set, you can hold your position and be ready to take advantage if your teammates win the ball back. when your direct opponent is running at back-pedalling defenders, in broken play, they’re far more likely to create a really good goalscoring chance, than you are to get the ball back; so sprint back and help. salah also puts up “peak rashford” numbers year in year out, so the odd goal they give away that he could have prevented is way down on the number of goals he creates by not sprinting back.

he’s clearly trying harder at villa and is nowhere near match fit, so there will be more to come from him, but there’s still a clear undercurrent of a leopard not changing its spots. he thinks he’s too good to muck in. that doesn’t work in the premier league.

 

[Glorio]

The amount of bitterness in this thread is sad. Rashford is playing as well for Villa as I expected him to, providing them with an attacking threat, giving opposition defenders something to worry about out - although his end product is still below where it should be (it was just his first start though, against the best team in the country).

But it’s not just Rashford - a lot of our ex-players/loanees are currently performing better at their new clubs. That’s what can happen when you slot a decent player into a team which is already functioning well - they can add something new and make you even better. When you add a new player to a team that isn’t functioning well (ie us) it can have the opposite effect, merely compounding the chaos, even if they are a good player. This isn’t rocket science.

You make a good point, however none of the things you mention exempts a player from effort.

Even within a dysfunctional team, it's easy to see players who are genuinely trying as opposed to those who have packed it in. I think the animosity towards Rashford is around the fact that he obviously wasn't putting in the required effort for the last couple of years and it was laid bare for all to see in the games we watched.
More damning it the idea that the marked up-ticks in effort and consequently his performances, seem to coincide with contract renewals.

Rashford has deficiencies in his game, no question, but it is abundantly clear that when he decides to apply himself, he's more dangerous than any forward we have and actually one of the most deadly goal scoring wide forwards in the league.

For me, this has to irk many a Manchester United fan. The fact that for whatever reason he couldn't be motivated to try here (his boyhood club which he loves dearly), at least nowhere near as much as he pushed out PR pieces. The fact that continued lack of motivation has been a reported ongoing problem for past managers as well is particularly jarring.

I think it's quite the narrow viewpoint to see Rashford only as a symptom of the problems at the club. As a senior player with arguably the worst attitude of the lot, he's 100% part of the problem.

 

[Glorio]

yeah there are instructions and there is using your brain. if there is plenty of cover and the defence is set, you can hold your position and be ready to take advantage if your teammates win the ball back. when your direct opponent is running at back-pedalling defenders, in broken play, they’re far more likely to create a really good goalscoring chance, than you are to get the ball back; so sprint back and help. salah also puts up “peak rashford” numbers year in year out, so the odd goal they give away that he could have prevented is way down on the number of goals he creates by not sprinting back.

he’s clearly trying harder at villa and is nowhere near match fit, so there will be more to come from him, but there’s still a clear undercurrent of a leopard not changing its spots. he thinks he’s too good to muck in. that doesn’t work in the premier league.

Rimaldo's been hacked!

 

[Glorio]

Maybe he's just one of those who require a change of scenery to be motivated. I don't know what he was like in training for England as Southgate didn't seem to rate him too highly, however, on the pitch, he always busted a gut for England. The difference in effort levels between England and United was stark.

 

[Reds Under The Bed]

Maybe he's just one of those who require a change of scenery to be motivated. I don't know what he was like in training for England as Southgate didn't seem to rate him too highly, however, on the pitch, he always busted a gut for England. The difference in effort levels between England and United was stark.

That's nothing new, we had the same with Beckham in his last two or three seasons with us.

 

[Ayoba]

He's a decent player, thats it. In the past with Fergie at the helm, he would've been used sparingly then sold after a few years, like O'shea, brown, nicky butt, pip neville, etc. He was never good enough to be the main man at Man Utd, but because we've been so poorly managed, we made him the main man and gave him a fat wage.

 

[Sky1981]

That's nothing new, we had the same with Beckham in his last two or three seasons with us.

Beckham is anything but not arsed. He's an energizer bunny

 

[simplyared]

Yes of course he's a threat to any team. Even in a utd shirt. However the problem is, and I watched him closely yesterday, his backtracking. His natural desire to win the ball back or chase his marker. Yesterday he had Trent marking him and it was Trent who made one of his runs into Villas box and scored. Rashford could be seen strolling about in no mans land. He should have followed Trent imo. Then there were plenty of other examples where his body language without the ball can be questioned. Malen who replaced him you could see had far more urgency in his play. He fights for his shirt and Rashford doesn't. Simple as that!

 

[romufc]

The amount of bitterness in this thread is sad. Rashford is playing as well for Villa as I expected him to, providing them with an attacking threat, giving opposition defenders something to worry about out - although his end product is still below where it should be (it was just his first start though, against the best team in the country).

But it’s not just Rashford - a lot of our ex-players/loanees are currently performing better at their new clubs. That’s what can happen when you slot a decent player into a team which is already functioning well - they can add something new and make you even better. When you add a new player to a team that isn’t functioning well (ie us) it can have the opposite effect, merely compounding the chaos, even if they are a good player. This isn’t rocket science.

Another fan who watches highlight clips on twitter rather than the whole game.

If he was playing so well, how come he hasn't completed a 90 mins? His performance was not much different to what he has been offering us.

How many players are performing better? Or are you just basing it on G/A ?

 

[Reds Under The Bed]

Beckham is anything but not arsed. He's an energizer bunny

He certainly was but when his energy levels dipped, saving himself for England duty, Fergie wasn't long spotting it. That's why he was benched for much of the second half of our 02-03 league winning campaign.

 

[Eric_the_Red99]

Another fan who watches highlight clips on twitter rather than the whole game.

If he was playing so well, how come he hasn't completed a 90 mins? His performance was not much different to what he has been offering us.

How many players are performing better? Or are you just basing it on G/A ?

I watched the whole game. Maybe don’t make assumptions about strangers on the internet?

It’s plainly obvious he isn’t 100 per cent match fit yet, as he hasn’t played 90 minutes in two months.

 

[romufc]

I watched the whole game. Maybe don’t make assumptions about strangers on the internet?

It’s plainly obvious he isn’t 100 per cent match fit yet, as he hasn’t played 90 minutes in two months.

So you think he played well based on what?

His tracking was just as bad jogging around, his crossing was poor overhit.. he had a few good instances of play but that's nothing to shout home about for a player being paid 325k a week.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

I don't think his performance level has been any different to what we saw from him in a Man Utd shirt this season but I am happy to see the media (predictably) big him up. We need to ensure he is sold in the summer. I also accept he still might improve this season, he is lacking match sharpness.

 

[Reds Under The Bed]

I don't think his performance level has been any different to what we saw from him in a Man Utd shirt this season but I am happy to see the media (predictably) big him up. We need to ensure he is sold in the summer. I also accept he still might improve this season, he is lacking match sharpness.

It was the same when Sancho was tearing it up back on loan at Dortmund, when he had exactly the same stats as 'massive United flop' Antony during the same period.

 

[romufc]

It was the same when Sancho was tearing it up back on loan at Dortmund, when he had exactly the same stats as 'massive United flop' Antony during the same period.

Which must tell you something.. the standard at United is alot higher than other clubs....

You can have 5 minute moments in games and everyone will say its a good game whilst at United they are judged for longer periods.

 

[BorisManUtd]

So you think he played well based on what?

His tracking was just as bad jogging around, his crossing was poor overhit.. he had a few good instances of play but that's nothing to shout home about for a player being paid 325k a week.

Shut it. Rashford is playing amazing. Villa, Barca or any other club should pay at least 40m for a player like that.

 

[IRN-BRUno]

Read the report on the BBC earlier, doesn't exactly match what is being said on here

All eyes were going to be on Rashford as he made his first start for Villa following his loan arrival from Manchester United.

He had not started a game for over two months - since United's 2-1 Europa League win at Viktoria Plzen - and has just completed four games this season.

But the forward was central to Villa's best moments in the first half, his cross deflecting off Van Dijk, only for the offside flag to curtail the celebrations.

Rashford was a willing runner, prepared to track back, make tackles and has settled well at Villa. It was only to be expected to see him substituted midway through the second half as he regains match fitness.

It has been a nervous time for him, coming to a new club when all he has known in his football career is Old Trafford and United's Carrington training ground, but he has made a good first impression at Villa's Bodymoor Heath base.

There is clearly a willingness and desire from Rashford to put the past behind him after his struggles on and off the pitch at United and he can only do that by performing for Unai Emery's men.

He has done that in his opening three appearances for the club and, with Villa having a £40m option to buy the England forward, could have found a happier home.

 

[romufc]

Shut it. Rashford is playing amazing. Villa, Barca or any other club should pay at least 40m for a player like that.

Sorry, yes I forgot he went past a player, his dribbling at pace and one twos with Asensio were amazing!

Imagine what he could do with Pedri, Yamal and the like... Also, he will get to go head to head with Mbappe.

 

[Posh Red]

Read the report on the BBC earlier, doesn't exactly match what is being said on here

Many of the posters in here are extremely upset with him, and don’t have an objective view on his performance.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Yes like Zirkzee, and Anthony, and Sancho....

Almost every signing. It’s human nature.

 

[Hammondo]

Shut it. Rashford is playing amazing. Villa, Barca or any other club should pay at least 40m for a player like that.

Why didn't they in January then? We are actively trying to get rid of him, and no one took him.

 

[GMoore23]

That's nothing new, we had the same with Beckham in his last two or three seasons with us.

That's absolute nonsense. Beckham was a key player right up until he left.

Fergie was looking rid near the end though because he was fecked off with the media circus surrounding Beckham 24/7. ''No player is bigger than the club'' as he's said many times.

I always remember the 2nd leg vs Real Madrid as being the point when we knew Beck's time was coming to an end with us. He was dropped for that huge game and seemed pretty pissed about it. When he was eventually subbed on, he came on like a man possessed, wanting to prove a point and completely stole the show.

He didn't come on and strut about in a sulk like Rashford. To compare the 2 is an insult to Beckham.

 

[Red in STL]

Why didn't they in January then? We are actively trying to get rid of him, and no one took him.

Because hardly anyone has their transfer budget and PSR leeway left by January

 

[afrocentricity]

It’s always like this with new signings. Even here they’re viewed through with honeymoon phase spectacles. Obviously you could argue that some United fans see him with an opposite bias.

It was sarcastic tbf, barely anyone gets a honeymoon period... unless you mean a few weeks/months

 

[Hammondo]

Because hardly anyone has their transfer budget and PSR leeway left by January

PSR is Prem only.

 

[Red_toad]

Many of the posters in here are extremely upset with him, and don’t have an objective view on his performance.

Yep they want him to fail and want him to be sold .
I'm glad he's looking better at Villa.

 

[Red in STL]

PSR is Prem only.

True but the FFP or whatever they call it now is still in place - the reality is most teams don't do major transfers in January

 

[Amar__]

Many of the posters in here are extremely upset with him, and don’t have an objective view on his performance.

Unlike two or three posters who probably haven't even seen the game and think they know better than 98% other posters, right?

What do you think he did good in the entire game apart from that offside goal? There isn't one effective thing he did apart from looking dangerous. I remember him misplacing most of his passes in the first half, and he finished the game with zero chances created and worst passing accuracy which just confirms it. And watching the game I don't think there's one situation that he actually did well apart from one or two decent passes, and you can say he was at fault for the goal because he was lazy to track back Arnold.

 

[Glorio]

That's nothing new, we had the same with Beckham in his last two or three seasons with us.

I don't remember this being the case with Becks at all

 

[Doracle]

.

Unlike two or three posters who probably haven't even seen the game and think they know better than 98% other posters, right?

What do you think he did good in the entire game apart from that offside goal? There isn't one effective thing he did apart from looking dangerous. I remember him misplacing most of his passes in the first half, and he finished the game with zero chances created and worst passing accuracy which just confirms it. And watching the game I don't think there's one situation that he actually did well apart from one or two decent passes, and you can say he was at fault for the goal because he was lazy to track back Arnold.

Can you post a link to the stats which show he had the worst passing accuracy on the pitch? Would be interesting to see. Cheers.

 

[Posh Red]

On a side note, that Rogers looks some player. Reminds me a bit of a young Rooney.

 

[Amar__]

.

Can you post a link to the stats which show he had the worst passing accuracy on the pitch? Would be interesting to see. Cheers.

whoscored, find last nights game.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

i watched pretty much all of his game against liverpool. There were some good moments, but not a whole lot overall/consistently. Considering he views himself as a world class player, and with the paycheck to boot, it really wasnt anything to write home about. Saw a couple defensive sprint moments but just mainly the usual not getting anywhere near back or his trademark get near a player without actually effecting the play.

 

[Doracle]

whoscored, find last nights game.

Ah ok. So what maths did you do then to get Rashford’s pass % below Salah, Jota, Bradley, Nunez, Rogers and Malen then?

 

[Amar__]

Ah ok. So what maths did you do then to get Rashford’s pass % below Salah, Jota, Bradley, Nunez, Rogers and Malen then?

I didn't compare him with Liverpool players, no one does that. And sorry for not including those two Aston Villa players, didn't even realise so many players played last night.

To correct myself, he was 14th best passer in Aston Villa team last night.

There, that looks much better.

 

[Doracle]

I didn't compare him with Liverpool players, no one does that. And sorry for not including those two Aston Villa players, didn't even realise so many players played last night.

To correct myself, he was 14th best passer in Aston Villa team last night.

There, that looks much better.

If you are going to use stats to try and support something then at least get them right. It just makes you look biased when you don’t - especially when you are criticising people for apparently not paying as much attention to the match as you did.

What we’ve really shown here is that Rashford’s passing accuracy was relatively similar to the other players who played in similar positions. Nothing spectacular but not supportive of him “misplacing most of his passes” or having “the worst passing accuracy” either.

 

[Amar__]

If you are going to use stats to try and support something then at least get them right. It just makes you look biased when you don’t - especially when you are criticising people for apparently not paying as much attention to the match as you did.

What we’ve really shown here is that Rashford’s passing accuracy was relatively similar to the other players who played in similar positions. Nothing spectacular but not supportive of him “misplacing most of his passes” or having “the worst passing accuracy” either.

Third worst out of 16 was relatively similar to the other players? Very objective!

 

[DeludedOptimism]

Read the report on the BBC earlier, doesn't exactly match what is being said on here

I didn’t watch last night, but speaking to a couple of Villa fans that I work with and they were reasonably happy with Rashford last night.

 

[Doracle]

Third worst out of 16 was relatively similar to the other players? Very objective!

I really don’t want to have to explain to you which players on the pitch play similar positions to Rashford. Please just go and consider yourself why comparing him to Salah and Rogers is infinitely more sensible than Disasi and Mings.

 

[Amar__]

I really don’t want to have to explain to you which players on the pitch play similar positions to Rashford. Please just go and consider yourself why comparing him to Salah and Rogers is infinitely more sensible than Disasi and Mings.

There is no reason to compare him with Liverpool players, especially with someone like Salah. And you never really answered my question what do you think he did well, do you have single action that he did well?