One of the greatest travesties for Manchester United this summer would be for Marcus Rashford to leave the club.
It only feels like yesterday that a fresh-faced teenager stunned Europe with two goals against FC Midtjylland to announce himself on the big stage. The youngster had the world at his feet and looked like he would be the next in a long line of academy success stories.
For the most part, this prophecy has come true — under certain managers. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the wheel, the Wythenshawe-born forward enjoyed fruitful spells and played some of the best football of his short career so far. However, under Jose Mourinho and most recently Ralf Rangnick, he has stalled.
ALSO READ: Mauricio Pochettino sends Manchester United warning as Cristiano Ronaldo response issued
Manchester Evening News understands that Rashford was left considering his future at Old Trafford having played only a cameo role in the 4-1 defeat to Man City at the weekend. Surely it cannot possibly end like this?
From Louis Van Gaal to Rangnick, Rashford been asked to play in different styles at United in the past few years. Sometimes he achieved this, like his time with Solskjaer, but the 24-year-old's inability to adapt to Mourinho saw his form suffer.
Ironically, Rashford should now listen to Mourinho if he is to rediscover his form in a red shirt. Speaking to Sky Sports in February last year, the striker discussed what life was like in the presence of 'the Special One'.
Rashford explained: "There are loads of different aspects – but my time under Jose was a massive learning period for me and I feel like I understood football in a different way to what I understood football before that. I learned to win in different ways.
"It was a tough time in my career, but they’re the moments that either make you or break you. His style of coaching might not have been perfect for me – but it definitely made me improve as a player and as a person as well."
Although he credits Mourinho with improving his game, Rashford seemingly appears to have abandoned the key teaching the Portuguese boss tried to instil in him during his time at the Theatre of Dreams. 'Win in different ways'.
Rashford should look to embrace a different way of playing football and add another string to his bow, which can only help him in the future. Instead, at present, he is struggling to adapt to Rangnick's pressing style. His pressing has been non-existent of late and his confidence is shot. As much as Rashford will not want to admit it, it appears he has not embraced the Rangnick way of thinking.
ALSO READ: Why Harry Maguire gave speech to Manchester United youngsters before Youth Cup win
ALSO READ: 'Welcome to United' — Fans issue Antonio Rudiger plea as Chelsea sanctioned
If the 24-year-old can knuckle down under Rangnick, he can still revitalise his career. It does not have to be the end.
Not one single United fan will be hoping Rashford leaves the club this summer. There is no greater pleasure for United supporters than witnessing an academy graduate come good in the first team. But the fans' patience will only last so long and Rashford must now put the lessons Mourinho taught him into practice.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
Catch up on all the latest Reds headlines in our Man United section
