Alan Shearer believes Marcus Rashford lacks the “killer instinct” to lead Manchester United’s attack, while Michael Owen was in agreement that Erik ten Hag needs to sign an out-and-out striker.
The England star, who scored 3 goals at the World Cup this winter, has 2 goals in as many games since the return of domestic action. From his sublime solo goal against Burnley in the Carabao Cup to a well worked corner against Nottingham Forest, I think it is clear we are watching Rashford back at his best.
Rashford now has 10 goals in 21 games this season, double his tally from last season (32 matches), but Shearer has urged Erik ten Hag to continue fielding the 25-year-old out wide and to sign a new out-and-out striker.
“I think Marcus enjoys it more, he looks better certainly in the position [on the left] we saw tonight,” Newcastle United great Shearer told Amazon Prime, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“He’s been given a little bit of freedom – if he wants to go down the middle at times, he can.
“But when he’s got all that space to run into from out wide, he’s a better player in doing that and he’s very, very good at doing that.
“In terms of him being a centre-forward, he lacks the killer instinct, that natural ability to think ‘yeah, I’m going to get in there, I’m going to get the two or three yarders’.
“But there’s no doubting his ability – he’s a fantastic player.”
Former United striker, Michael Owen, was in agreement with Shearer’s assessment that United should be in the market for a new striker.
“I do feel that Rashford is better on the left, he will contribute a decent number of goals each year,” Owen said.
“But he’s not going to be the Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Robin van Persie, the Wayne Rooney who scores 30-plus goals a season.
“Obviously he is a huge asset to this football club, gives them something different, gives them pace, gives them directness.”
Manchester United have already missed the boat to sign Cody Gakpo, who will be joining Liverpool in the New Year, and it doesn’t sound like Ten Hag will have the funds to sign a top striker midway through the season.
The manager will have his fingers crossed at the thought of United having new owners before the end of the season.
