Marcus Rashford a ‘worry at Man United’ after Ruben Amorim decision
Marcus Rashford’s inconsistent form at Man United will be a concern for new manager Ruben Amorim, according to Kris Boyd.
The England forward scored just 81 seconds into the Portuguese’s tenure as the Red Devils manager, playing as a centre-forward in their 1-1 draw with Ipswich, but then “disappeared” in the view of the Sky Sports pundit.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the England international’s form has been uneven, leading to criticism about his capability to consistently perform at the highest level, and fellow pundit Paul Merson doesn’t believe he can recapture his best
Former Rangers forward Boyd said on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (1.26pm): “I don’t think I’ve seen a player that has been so inconsistent for a period of times now. When he’s on it he’s brilliant but there’s more times that he’s off it now.
“It would be a worry because it was interesting he played him as a number nine… If you’re standing out on that right-hand side you can keep the ball, you don’t have to run as such. But when you’ve got players who are firing the ball across you have to run, you have to move as a striker.
“There’s been a lot of times where people have questioned Marcus Rashford’s work rate, but there is a quality player in there and it might just be that a fresh start… it might just kick [him] off. He started really well and then disappeared.”
Merson wasn’t so confident he can rebound, adding (3.29pm): “Not playing up front. I don’t see him as a centre-forward. He’s not a player that’s going with his back to play. He’s not one of those players that, playing the way they play, you need your centre-forward when it comes up, it’s got to stick…
“He’ll have to fight with [Alejandro] Garnacho to play behind with [Bruno] Fernandes because I don’t see him as a centre-forward in my opinion.”
Rashford is not suited to be a centre-forward for Man United
Football Insider opinion
The 27-year-old has undeniably been one of the Red and White Army’s most dynamic players in recent seasons, but his best performances have consistently come from the wing, not as a centre-forward.
In the 2022/23 Premier League season, Rashford scored 17 goals and provided five assists, all while playing primarily on the left. His pace, dribbling, and ability to cut inside from that position made him a constant threat.
When deployed centrally, however, the England ace struggles. A modern centre-forward needs to hold the ball, link play, and work with his back to goal—qualities that Rashford doesn’t naturally possess.
His movement and goal-scoring ability thrive when he can run at defenders and use his speed, something central positions restrict. To get the best out of him, Amorim should keep Rashford in his preferred wide role.
But even then he has plenty to work on to consistently deliver the kind of quality it is clear that he has, and whether Amorim will indulge him the way Erik ten Hag was seen to remains to be seen.
In other news, Mason Mount has sent a message to Man United supporters after his performance vs Bodo/Glimt.
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