Marcus Rashford started on the bench in the Manchester derby last weekend. It felt like a significant moment considering Ralf Rangnick chose two midfielders, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, to lead United's attack at the Etihad instead.
Rangnick also started 19-year-old Anthony Elanga over Rashford. Rangnick's team selection promised to have ramifications and it certainly did. The dust was yet to settle following that humiliation when the Manchester Evening News revealed Rashford was considering his future at the club. The only surprise was that it had taken this long for Rashford to evaluate his position.
Rashford has been hopelessly treading water for some time now. The player that explosively broke through to United's first team now seems like a distant memory. Rashford has looked burdened, perhaps finally having succumbed to the pressure of playing for Manchester United. It was always Rashford's dream to play for the club but the reality of his ambition has now become clear.
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Rashford won't look back on last season with fond memories. The 24-year-old played through the pain of a foot injury and never being completely fit affected his form. It is normal and expected for professionals to play through pain but that does not negate the effects it can have on performance. The summer and the chance to undergo an operation couldn't come soon enough.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should never have started Rashford in the Europa League final. That night in Gdansk was arguably the worst display in his United career and starting Paul Pogba on the left might have made the difference. United lost on penalties. That was a destiny Rashford faced again in the European Championship final with England — it was a difficult eight weeks.
It was agreed Rashford would undergo an operation on a reoccurring shoulder injury after that final and it was hoped he would return with the vigour of his previous self. Rashford returned from injury just ahead of schedule in mid-October.
United were losing 2-1 against Leicester at the King Power Stadium when Solskjaer called for the United No.10 to warm up. The forward replaced Sancho in the second half and immediately looked sharp. Rashford scored United's equaliser with a trademark finish and, while Leicester swiftly responded to win the match, his return was the only positive in a disastrous afternoon.
It seemed Rashford was back — only he wasn't. Rashford's next game was the Liverpool debacle and his next goal came after that defeat, against Tottenham at the end of October. Rashford would have to wait 81 days to score again (at Brentford). Rashford's barren run coincided with the hectic festive period and his worst performance since Gdnask came against Norwich in December.
Rashford looked devoid of confidence at Carrow Road and the player that promised a return to form in Autumn was lost again.
Sources close to the player actually say Rashford is currently training well and in good spirits, although they concede it is not transmitting to matchday performances. Rangnick was asked about Rashford's form on Friday and he shared that sentiment.
"Marcus is training well, he's got an abundant of talent, he's got almost everything you need for a modern striker," Rangnick said. "It's about transforming the performance of the training sessions into the regular games."
Those comments from Rangnick were encouraging. It would be far more concerning if Rashford was training badly. There is hope for his United career.
Some supporters have now given up on Rashford. That's naturally their right to do so, but the final chapter of his time at the club is yet to be written, for good or bad. Rashford ultimately has the next few months to prove he deserves to remain at United.
Rashford predicted this struggle. He admitted in 2019 that 'the hardest thing' is staying in United's first team and his prediction has been proved right. Rashford was almost unplayable three years ago but he looks half that player now.
His love for the club is on record and it would be naïve to think he won't be doing everything within his power to fight for his future. Improved performances in the final part of this season would go a long way to restoring some credit. The academy graduate has the ability and the character but United need to see it.
It's now or never for Rashford.
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