Dwight Yorke has voiced his concerns over where Marcus Rashford’s head is at – despite Manchester United being just two games into the season.
In fairness, it’s a sentiment that’s already been echoed by the Old Trafford faithful since the term began.
Rashford is, unfortunately, on the back of a year to forget. In 43 appearances across all competitions, he notched a mere eight goals and six assists, and never really got going after 2022/2023’s career-best 30-goal campaign.
Such performances and lack of contributions resulted in the forward being omitted from Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad, with his absence quickly dominating the headlines when it was confirmed.
Against Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion, Rashford frequently cut the same frustrated figure that fans have grown accustomed to seeing when things just aren’t going in his favour.
Numerous offsides proved detrimental to United’s early, fluid build-up play in both matches, and he couldn’t get into the positions that were needed in order for him to make any form of impact. While he did miss two clear-cut chances against Manchester City in the Community Shield final, he was at least in the areas where the manager would have expected of him.
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Yorke weighs in on Rashford troubles
Yorke, renowned for being one of the most prolific goalscorers in United’s illustrious history, has had his say on where he thinks it’s just not clicking for Rashford at the moment.
“You have to find out where the individual is at, what is going through his head, what is his thought process in his everyday life. At the end of the day, we all have issues. We all have tough times in our lives,” the treble winner began, as cited by The Mirror.
“I am sure that being left out of the England set-up last year, you expect him to come back with a little bit of fire in his belly and kick on after a poor season by his standards. Marcus Rashford is the only person who can get himself out of that slump. You can bring in the best coaches around him, but he has to have that burning desire to get himself back. We know he has all the talent and all the ability.
“But if he is not prepared to put that effort in and really bring himself back from his poorest season last year, he is not going to get back to that level. He has to want to do it. I have defended Marcus many times, but he just seems unhappy. For whatever reason, I don’t know, but he just does not seem to be enjoying his football like he used to.”
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He’s not enjoying it and we’re not enjoying watching him. It’s Garnacho time.