Marcus Rashford, the uniquely gifted young striker of Manchester United, is in one of the most critical junctures of his young career. The determination to find that form and restore his reputation on the field of play is evident. After a tumultuous period marked by scrutiny and fluctuating performance, he has been investing significant effort into his training and fitness. Waking up before the sun each morning, Rashford fully commits to his intensive training sessions, whether that’s private sessions in the weight room or field turf. His commitment to raising his level of play has never been more apparent.
In the summer of 2020, Rashford didn’t take the standard route. From there, he spent the summer living at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, participating in a personalized fitness regimen. This decision is a testament to his commitment to push through the challenges and reclaim his status as one of Manchester United’s most influential players.
Rashford’s path to this point hasn’t been without a speed bump or two. He faced criticism after leaving the engine of his car running while fulfilling media duties, despite being advised to turn it off in conjunction with the Premier League’s climate change campaign. This most recent episode highlighted the degree to which this behavior, on and off the pitch, is under extreme media scrutiny.
Manchester United’s manager Erik Ten Hag has expressed concerns regarding Rashford’s performance levels. During Ten Hag’s first news conference of the preseason tour in 2023, he highlighted a noticeable dip in Rashford’s standards, issuing a warning about the need for improvement.
Despite these challenges, Rashford received an opportunity from manager Ruben Amorim, who started him in his first match against Ipswich, where he scored a goal. It proved to be a key moment for Rashford too, giving him the chance to showcase his undeniable talents once again.
Rashford’s off-the-field life has been under the microscope too, since bursting on the scene at 18. Manchester United has been the scene of similar stories of bouts of moodiness and petulance, disconcerting and angering three dedicated managers during their time. In response, the club initiated an investigation into his off-the-field conduct under Ten Hag. While the results showed a significant number of claims had no merit, it nevertheless shone a light on continuing issues with Rashford’s discipline and concentration.
The way Rashford did it on loan at Aston Villa during the month of January gave the youth a glimmer of hope. His time there jumpstarted his career. In March, he received a recall to the England national team – his first call up in over three years. As a result, he scored what many still call the best goal of his career last season. It was a blazing shot that smashed off of the crossbar’s underside.
Given these peaks and troughs, Rashford’s salary of around £350,000 per week is still a very bold commitment for Manchester United. The club’s staff have recognized for some time that Rashford’s focus can vary significantly, which poses a challenge for both his development and the team’s success. A particular moment that represented this disparity happened during their Europa League match vs FC Viktoria Plzen. Five minutes before halftime, we got a completely avoidable yellow card that exemplified our problem.
Rashford opted to travel to the United States on holiday instead of meeting up with England during the winter international break. This decision has raised questions about his seriousness.
“Players can’t match the sensational life and play top football.” – Erik Ten Hag
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