At 26, Marcus Rashford has had a sluggish start to the new season, following a disappointing 2023/24 campaign where he scored only eight goals across all competitions. This marked a significant drop in form compared to his career-high 30 goals the previous season.
His underwhelming performance led to his omission from England’s squad for Euro 2024, where Gareth Southgate’s team finished as runners-up to Spain.
Many Manchester United fans had hoped that a summer break would help Rashford recover his form, but he has failed to score in the first three Premier League matches of the new season. This slow start has subjected him to increased criticism from former United players, including Gary Neville and Roy Keane. However, a source close to Rashford feels that he is being unfairly targeted compared to his teammates.
According to the source, Rashford is being singled out for mistakes that would go unnoticed if made by other players. The source described the level of criticism as excessive, likening it to “bullying,” and expressed concern that fans are heavily influenced by the opinions of these high-profile former players, further exacerbating the pressure on Rashford.
Additionally, the source highlighted that Rashford has been playing in a wider position to make room for United’s expensive central strikers, specifically their £100 million investment. The source argued that Rashford is fulfilling his role in the team but cannot be held responsible for the team’s overall inability to convert chances into goals.
This added scrutiny on Rashford is an unwelcome distraction for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as the team prepares for a crucial match against Southampton.
With United currently 14th in the Premier League standings after losing two of their first three games, including a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, ten Hag is hoping Rashford can rediscover his goal-scoring form and help United bounce back against a struggling Southampton side.
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