Marcus Rashford has the weight of the world on his shoulders but Teddy Sheringham believes it’s time he owns it by becoming a leader in the dressing room.
The former Manchester United striker is calling for Rashford, who has struggled for the best part of the last year, to immediately buy into new head coach Ruben Amorim’s methods.
If he doesn’t, Rashford will have to continue dealing with his name being in the gossip columns.
Rashford visited New York during the international break after being left out of the England squad yet again.
The 27-year-old has only scored one Premier League goal so far this season, but Sheringham says Rashford must now stand up and be counted.
“I’m looking at these United players, and they might not know it or think it, but they need to be led. Marcus Rashford needs to look at the manager and think, ‘I like the way he’s talking; I like his vibe, I understand exactly what he wants, and we need to go out and do it. I’m going to lead from the front,’” Sheringham told Best Offshore Sportsbooks, as per The Mirror.
“Younger players would then look at Rashford and think, ‘If you’re going to show me how it’s done, I’m following you as well. Come on, let’s all go together.’ [Amorim] has got to get the top players on his side very, very quickly.
“Rashford is your main example because everyone looks to him. He’s the one that’s going to score your goals, going to make goals, and he’s the one that people look at and go, ‘He ain’t at it, is he?’
“So he needs to get him on board and get him leading from the front. He’s not a young lad anymore. He’s an experienced player. It’s funny how quickly you change from a young lad to an experienced ever-present player. All of a sudden, you’re experienced, you look around the changing room and you’re expected to lead.
“He’s played for England many times and he should be leading from the front and he’s not doing that at Man United. That needs to change. He’s got to get the top players on his side very, very quickly.”
Rashford struggled to perform under Erik ten Hag but he won’t be able to use any excuses if he continues to fail on the pitch. He has shown glimpses of what he can do this season but nowhere near enough.
Everyone at United wants Rashford back at his best because that is when we are at our strongest.
Is Marcus Rashford a leader?
If Rashford is a leader, we haven’t seen it yet.
It’s been a difficult year and a half for the striker, who scored 30 goals in 2022/23, with he demeanour often questioned by fans and pundits alike.
I wouldn’t dare question his commitment, though. Rashford strikes me as someone who has struggled for confidence and I hope he can rediscover his mojo under Amorim.