The Manchester United striker is allegedly contemplating his future due to a lack of playing time.
AMA/Getty Images/Matthew Ashton photo
Marcus Rashford was Ralf Rangnick's only recognized striker as he prepared to take command of his first Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon. Due to injuries, both Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo were unavailable, while Anthony Martial departed the club on loan in January.
Rashford started on the bench, despite his situation in the squad. Rangnick went with a 4-4-2 formation, but his two most advanced attackers were Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes up front.
It was a risky tactical decision, and it encapsulated Rashford's problems over the previous 12 months. In a crimson shirt, he appears like a shadow of his former self.
The Reds' academy graduate has had a tumultuous season. Due to injury, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer missed the first few months of the season, and when he returned, he was on the verge of being fired.
With the exception of Michael Carrick, the Englishman has been trained by four different managers since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2016, each of whom has developed him according to their own ideals and requirements.
Rashford, who is still only 24, has played on the left wing, right flank, and through the centre in recent years. Furthermore, United's playing style, both on and off the ball, has evolved every 12 to 18 months.
Jose Mourinho, on the other hand, made strategic alterations in every match based on the opposition and placed less importance on maintaining the ball than Louis van Gaal. Rangnick like pressing high up the field, whereas Solskjaer's team flourished when they could retreat behind a block before counter-attacking.
Homegrown talent has just not been given the opportunity to thrive and develop. His surroundings have proven unreliable, and players are often products of their surroundings.
Rashford has unquestionable ability. Son Heung-min, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez, Jarrod Bowen, Raheem Sterling, and Bukayo Saka are all examples of wide forwards in the Premier League with similar skill sets.
The Manchester-born attacker is quick, penetrative, direct, skillful, and hungry to score goals, but United haven't given him enough time in a fixed role to master the art of wing play.
When his teammates are available as passing alternatives, Rashford is still too prone to shooting from long range. His actions and decisions are still impromptu, and he appears yearning to have his natural abilities trained and harnessed.
Rather than being taught how to operate at a better level in a single function on the field, he has had to contend with constant competition. Rashford's favorite position has been filled by Martial and Pogba at times in the past, and now Jadon Sancho, who was bought last summer, is doing the same.
Rashford's future is now being speculated upon, with reports claiming that he will leave Old Trafford. If he were to quit at some point, it would be a scathing indictment of United's mismanagement.
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