Why it’s time for Marcus Rashford to leave Man United, writes SIMON JORDAN
Marcus Rashford has become something of a bit player for England and I don’t see him starting in a meaningful match anytime soon.
Against Brazil he came off the bench for fifteen minutes and against Belgium he got no further. He hasn’t been a central figure for a while and his career seems to be in decline.
He has become an impact substitute, someone who can come on in the final twenty minutes when the match is stretched. He may not like it, but that’s where he is right now.
His behavior earlier this year, when he strolled into Belfast for a night out and subsequently missed training, was unacceptable.
It came hot after he went to a famous nightclub on his birthday following Manchester United’s defeat to City earlier in the day.
Marcus Rashford played for fifteen minutes against Brazil, but did not play on Tuesday evening
The Manchester United star could yet fall prey to England’s extreme strength
A departure from boyhood club United could help the player refocus during a difficult period
He seems to have forgotten that he is a professional footballer who plays for club and country.
He behaved like someone who does not have these responsibilities, opportunities, benefits or privileges.
He is often praised and applauded, honored and rewarded, but has lately come under a lot of criticism. Why? Because of his own actions.
Sorry Marcus, but when you were rightly praised it was because of you, so you have to accept that now that you are being criticized it is also because of you.
However, I find much of what has been said about Rashford unfair.
He’s not a world-class player, so I always felt that judging him by those standards put him in a position where he was always going to fall short.
What he needs to do is commit himself, give the impression that he is interested, committed and motivated again, otherwise he may never reach the level we saw from him at the beginning of his career.
For whatever reason, whether it’s the life he leads or the way he sees the world, the pressure of playing for United or having too much money and too many distractions, I don’t see a player who has developed.
Rashford has previously spoken out that he has received a lot of criticism this season
The player has been linked with a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain, which could be a good option away from the attention of the British media.
The best we saw of him was early in his career and a brief rally last season. It’s certainly hard to argue that he’s become a better player over the past five years. I think he has gotten worse, I don’t see any area of his game that has developed.
Normally as you get older and reach your peak in sports and in life, you get better, or find your level. I would suggest he has found his level.
For a man who protests to love Manchester United so much, it’s a difficult situation, but I think it might be time for him to move on. He has charted his course at Old Trafford and could flourish again at a new club.
There have been endless links with Paris Saint-Germain, which could be an option if it is a transfer he would be interested in. He will lack nothing in France, he will win league titles, play in the Champions League and be out of the goldfish bowl of United and the British media. That has its advantages.
But I can’t see him moving to a top-six rival which speaks volumes about where both he and United currently stand, so he’s limited to potential interest from abroad.
Another player who we once considered integral to England and who may struggle to claim a place in Gareth Southgate’s team is Jack Grealish, who is currently injured.
Jack Grealish is another England star who could be out of action ahead of the 2024 Euros
The Manchester City man is currently working on his recovery as he prepares to return from injury
Like Rashford, Grealish is overrated, but he has adapted his game and evolved as a player under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
He works hard, pushes back, is more responsible and committed. He’s a very good player, a creative player, but he doesn’t do it often enough and certainly hasn’t performed regularly for England. There is far more hype about Grealish as an England player than there is substance.
Both players need to come back strong for their clubs if they are to force their way into Southgate’s plans this summer, but if England were to start Euro 2024 tomorrow and both were fit, I don’t see either of them making the starting XI. .
And there’s a chance they won’t even end up in Southgate’s squad, unless of course the England manager’s famed loyalty kicks in. That’s disappointing for them, but just shows the strength England possess at the moment.
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