I have tended to be a supporter of Rashford's talents. When he first burst onto the scene, we all had high hopes, this continued to the dreams of the type of attack that he and Martial would help form etc etc.
But he's just not turned out to be the player that we thought he could be. Nothing wrong with that, not everyone can be a world-beater. But what bothers me, and I assume most of us, is that he's not even the player he SHOULD be. I get certain players can look lazy etc, but his look really isn't good, just seems to have taken strolling about in games to a new level in recent years. (if he was a 'Berbatov', who had a great footballing brain, I could take that, but he's not, and I know it's not exactly like-for-like). It's rare any squad can afford a luxury player, let alone ours, but he isn't a very good luxury at that.
I felt if anyone needed a great start to the season it was him. I know only couple of games in, and he'll now probably go and throw in a great performance today, but that's almost the point, the occasional good / great performance surrounded by average ones isn't good enough overall. I feel he is the type of player that would look great in a great team, but not the one that makes them great, if that makes sense.
It really will take an amazing turnaround for him to convince me he should stay with us. I don't wish him ill-harm, and of course I hope he proves me wrong, but a few years ago it would have saddened me if he left, but now I feel I don't want him to stay at all.
I would contrast with McT, who I was genuinely sad to see go. Not a world-beater, but a good honest pro who really did get the most out of himself and always gave his all for the team - the right decision for all that he goes, but I wish we had a great winning squad and I think he would have fitted in well in such a scenario. Maybe if Rashford had a bit of McT's mindset, we would see a better player, but you can't force that on someone I guess.
Anyone still got faith that Rashford can be a big player for us?
Any patience left for Rashford?
posted on 1/9/24
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
Hes a far better player with an overlapping left back. It's no coincidence that his best form for United has gone with Shaw at left back.
Last season we had Wan Bissaka and Lindelof as left back for long periods and so far this season we've had Dalot playing there. All right footed players.
The overlapping fullback gives defenders choices to make and that often gives Rashford a bit more room and space. Without it they just shut him out of the game far too easily.
He can definitely play better than this and I don't think he's been terrible as RR says above but I don't think we will see the best of him again unless Shaw can get fit basically.
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While I agree with what you're saying, it doesn't excuse him being a lazy facking cant now does it?
His effort level needs to double before I'd even consider him United standard. Nothing to do with overlapping fullbacks. This is a rashford problem.
posted on 1/9/24
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
Obviously he's starting to look like one of the weaker links in the first XI. I don't think he's been too bad at the start if this season, compared to last. Working harder off the ball, looking a bit sharper, but still not confident in front of goal.
I'll never hate him the way some of our fans seem to for not being up to standard. He's already given us so much, often during otherwise depressing times. And I think he suffered from years of poor coaching (and overplaying through injuries) when in a different timeline he'd have been developed into a wide forward who fits perfectly into a possession based, pressing side.
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Totally this. Well put RR
posted on 1/9/24
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
Hes a far better player with an overlapping left back. It's no coincidence that his best form for United has gone with Shaw at left back.
Last season we had Wan Bissaka and Lindelof as left back for long periods and so far this season we've had Dalot playing there. All right footed players.
The overlapping fullback gives defenders choices to make and that often gives Rashford a bit more room and space. Without it they just shut him out of the game far too easily.
He can definitely play better than this and I don't think he's been terrible as RR says above but I don't think we will see the best of him again unless Shaw can get fit basically.
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"He needs a left back to perform" at 300k a week. Add this to "he can only produce from the left". Excuses, apologies or apologist.
We don't have a left footed left back (since I'm assuming all that Dalot has been doing is faffing around) so it's not going to be an excuse for him. He's had years to adjust to it with a ridiculous amount of faith shown to him to do so. We are trying to change our wages structure and I bet you the next time garnacho or that big name wide players tries to make a point he's going to use Rashford as his excuse.
We also have to factor in that the longer he stays the less we could get for him. If he has an average season, none is going to want him at a price worth the investment we have made I. Him. He could quickly change from a benefit to a burden. We cannot dwell on him.
posted on 1/9/24
and BTW if Rashy does probably go and throw in a great performance today I will be very happy and pleased with him, and think he's worth the daft money he gets. For this week anyway.
posted on 1/9/24
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
Regarding McTominay I’ve personally never really got the ‘he’s gives his all on the pitch’ view.
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our fans these days are weird, they create narratives for the players, then forget/ignore anything that goes against this narrative.
i mean, this caused a bit of a stir when it happened, but less than 12 months later it seems to have been completely forgotten:
https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/comments/16o7k6u/mctominay_loses_the_ball_then_jogs_back/
and he used to do this sort of thing regularly, but somehow has earned, from a lot of people apparently, a "leaves it all on the pitch" narrative.
posted on 1/9/24
I don't necessarily think Rashford's best form in terms of performances anyway has come when Shaw's been available given Rashford was pretty good under Ole for decent spells between 2019 and 2021 and Shaw missed over 40 games during those two seasons.
He still looks like he's stuck in a huge rut and can't get out of it. He doesn't look confident at all with the ball at his feet. 7 or 8 times out of 10 I expect him to make the wrong decision, run into traffic, over or under-hit a pass and panic when he's in front of goal.
It wouldn't surprise me if he produces something later on today but there's definitely an argument that he shouldn't be starting games for us in the form he's in currently, especially when everybody gets up to speed.
If things don't improve this season I can see us replacing him in the summer. I don't think he's deserving of any more chances after that. We'll need to move on from him soon.
posted on 1/9/24
And for those who really love Rashford, if you really love him, you want a low block + counter attack structure, not left footed left back overlapping him. That's how we poked a result from Liverpool and City. We are trying to build a new structure but can we turn it upside down for this game at home?
Anyways I'm actually excited for this game regardless. Rashford performing or not. I've stopped factoring him into our results. If he does it's always a shock these days
posted on 1/9/24
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 28 minutes ago
and BTW if Rashy does probably go and throw in a great performance today I will be very happy and pleased with him, and think he's worth the daft money he gets. For this week anyway.
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In the same way we all gave Antony a reprieve for a day after his goal agains them last season. Still trash.
posted on 1/9/24
comment by He’s French, He’s Flash… (U9335)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 28 minutes ago
and BTW if Rashy does probably go and throw in a great performance today I will be very happy and pleased with him, and think he's worth the daft money he gets. For this week anyway.
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In the same way we all gave Antony a reprieve for a day after his goal agains them last season. Still trash.
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Still trash.
posted on 1/9/24
Don
Yep