1
Misfiring Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been keeping himself busy over the international break despite not making the cut for England.
The 26-year-old posted a video on Instagram yesterday showing him hard at work in private training, with the caption, “Raw material ⚽♥️”.
Working with the RH Elite Coaching team in Manchester, Rashford looked sharp in drills for shooting and passing, which are both areas in which he has struggled so far this season.
Despite featuring in all three matches, and playing the full 90 in two of them, the academy graduate is yet to score or assist. More worryingly, he is yet to even get a single shot away.
He has also underwhelmed on the ball, completing only 74% of his attempted passes and, as per Sofascore, only successfully beating his man once.
Rashford looks devoid of confidence, and fans are losing patience as the man who built his reputation skinning defenders (Martín Demichelis probably still has nightmares about him) now seems resigned to losing the ball, if he attempts the take-on at all.
But he is certainly grafting hard in the video, unleashing venomous shots and keeping the ball under close control, and it is a positive sign given that question marks persist about his mentality and motivation.
Manager Erik ten Hag has long stood by him, doubtless hoping to coax him back to his magnificent 30-goal form as seen back in 2022/23.
But he failed to achieve it last season, and with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho breathing down his neck for the left-wing position this year, he needs to improve quickly or risk being dropped by even the most supportive manager.
Rashford was overlooked by interim England head coach Lee Carsley, who put together his first squad since taking over from Gareth Southgate for the Nations League matches against Ireland and Finland.
His United teammates Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo were both called up to represent their country, and both started in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Ireland.
Neither completed the full 90 minutes, but their withdrawals were purely tactical.
Mainoo was replaced by Angel Gomes, who is the youngest player ever to feature for United in the Premier League.
Play for free to win the new United kit! We’re awarding a new prize every PL matchweek, courtesy of Goat Kits! To play, just (1) Join this week’s brand new PL Challenge league here with our league code puu1tk and enter your team. (2) Follow The Peoples Person on X and answer the tie breaker question. Full instructions and rules here.
You can also visit Goat Kits at goatkitstore.com and use discount code TPP30 to get 30% off your first purchase!
