How inconsistent Rashford is costing Man Utd results – and Ten Hag his job

Suraj Radia

• 30 Sept 2023 19:26 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United have made their worst ever start to a Premier League season after a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford to Crystal Palace made it four losses in their opening seven games, while Marcus Rashford’s form is perhaps as worrying to Erik Ten Hag as their results.

Rashford scored a career-high 30 goals in all competitions last season and was rewarded with a new contract that reportedly made him the club’s highest earner.

The record-breaking campaign and subsequent payrise was meant to be an opportune moment for Rashford to transition from inconsistent hometown youngster to the senior focal point of Ten Hag’s side but the 25-year-old has regressed so far this season in both output and performances.

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Rashford has just one goal to his name since signing his bumper contract but, more concerningly, the England international is displaying the body language and demeanour of the player that scored just five times in the 2021/22 season prior to Ten Hag’s arrival.

Such a strong drop off from arguably the team’s most important player means that the United’s poor form is perhaps not a surprise but the complete decline in Rashford’s off-the-ball stats and attitude on the pitch represents a far greater problem for Ten Hag than injuries or bad results.

For United, the decision to hand Rashford a long-term contract worth a reported £375,000-a-week to a player who still displays a lack of maturity at times may come back to haunt Ten Hag, with the Dutchman likely to pay the ultimate price if there isn’t a dramatic u-turn in his star player’s displays.

Injuries not an excuse for Rashford’s defensive effort

United have suffered an incredible number of injuries this season, with the likes of Luke Shaw, Lisandro Lopez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all still sidelined, while there is no timetable for the return of Antony or Jadon Sancho due to their off-the-pitch issues.

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While the injuries have prevented Ten Hag from fielding his best line-up and caused a constant reshuffling in the team, Rashford has still largely featured in his preferred left-wing role since the return to fitness of Rasmus Hojlund.

Indeed, Hojlund’s signing was meant to allow Rashford to flourish as an inside forward, having often filled in uncomfortably as a lone striker, but the United academy graduate has yet to strike up a real connection with the £72 million arrival.

Frustratingly, Rashford has driven forward with the ball and had touches in the penalty area at a higher rate than last season but he has constantly disappointed with his decision making at the last moment, often choosing to shoot from difficult angles instead of passing to a teammate.

However, Rashford’s defensive numbers have been virtually non-existent this season, having made just one successful tackle and having significantly less touches in his own half than last year.

Rashford’s inconsistencies and barren goalscoring runs could perhaps be forgiven if he was still leading by example at times of turmoil for United but instead he is a symbol of everything going wrong for the club currently.

Things will naturally improve as players return to fitness and more chemistry is built in the team but, for Ten Hag, he may not be around to see any reversal unless Rashford can bring him and his team back to their best.

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