Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.
MEN Sport reported earlier this week that Rashford is considering his future after a poor run under Ralf Rangnick which culminated with him being left out of the Manchester derby defeat to Manchester City. He believed that he needed time on the pitch to try and overcome this rut. He is willing to bide his time and will not agitate for a move until he is made aware of who will succeed Rangnick as the club's next full-time hire in the United managerial hotseat.
But his latest anaemic display in the 3-2 win over Tottenham only served to add to the doubts surrounding his future at Old Trafford and Rangnick made clear ahead of the game that if he doesn't want to fight for his place, he is welcome to leave the club. He did also, however, offer words of encouragement that he can rediscover his best form.
"Marcus is training well, he's got an abundance of talent, he's got almost everything you need for a modern striker, it's about transforming the performance of the training sessions into the regular games," he said in his pre-match press conference"
It seemed that the forward's desire to improve resonated with his manager as Rangnick gave him the nod to start on Saturday over the in-form Anthony Elanga but, unfortunately, he did not repay the favour and one moment in the second half was indicative of his struggles.
Rashford had the opportunity to hit Spurs on the counter down the right-hand side and was confronted by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Spurs' Danish midfielder is blessed with a number of qualities but pace is not one of them and Gary Neville picked up on the moment during his in-game commentary, questioning whether Rashford had it in him to take a player on in a withering assessment.
Instead, he turned back and while he kept possession, he slowed down the attack and allowed Spurs to regroup. By contrast, Neville praised Sancho's ability on the counter in the first half as he received possession from a Fred pass, ran at Spurs and sprayed the ball out to Paul Pogba on the left flank. The difference in confidence was stark.
Sancho now occupies the left-wing position Rashford has had nailed for the past two seasons and was a threat throughout the game as he provided the assist for Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal. Rashford was anonymous for most of the time he was on the pitch by comparison.
It was no surprise to see his number go up midway through the second half as Elanga came on to replace him and offer United fresh impetus in attack.
He failed to offer any meaningful threat going forward against a Spurs side that didn't really make much of an attempt to stop him and he did not particularly contribute to the team's defensive efforts either.
But how does Rashford turn it around?
It does not seem that he properly fits into Rangnick's system and Elanga currently offers a lot more both in and out of possession. Amid a battle to finish in the top four with Arsenal and Spurs and a Champions League campaign still ongoing, it would be foolish if the manager chose not to field the Swedish winger over Rashford. One thing's for certain, the latter is definitely not ousting Sancho now.
Of the new managerial targets, Mauricio Pochettino would appear to be the only manager willing to give Rashford the time and coaching to try and allow him to rediscover his form. If Erik ten Hag was appointed, it is difficult to envisage a role for the United academy graduate given he does not fit the mould of winger that the Dutchman prefers.
Rashford is a shining beacon for United, both as an academy graduate and for his good work off the field, but if he is unable to hit the kind of form he has previously been capable of and be a useful part of the team when he plays, then it may yet end in a way no fan would have envisaged.
