Marcus Rashford needs a big season and talkSPORT pundits back Man Utd Star to prove doubter wrong and show why PSG were so keen to sign him
It’s a sink or swim for Marcus Rashford this season.
The Manchester United star had a season to forget but is being backed to reclaim the form that once made him one of Europe’s deadliest finishers.
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Rashford will be desperate to show his best form this term
Rashford will be desperate to show his best form this term
After progressing through the club’s academy, Rashford burst onto the scene at Old Trafford in 2016 and recorded double figures in his first two full season as a first team player.
In 2019/20 and 2020/21, Rashford broke the 20-goal mark, before an injury hit campaign saw his tally tumble – however that was short-lived as he racked up 30 goals in all competitions in 2022/23.
It takes something to reach those sorts of figures on a consistent basis and Rashford showed in those campaigns that he has the x-factor.
That was due to his pace running behind defenders and his ability to instinctively strike the ball earlier than many would expect, leading to his efforts beating the goalkeeper with such convincing finishes.
It was that sort of form that led European giants Paris Saint-Germain to be long-term admirers of the forward.
Expected to sustain his prolific run of form in front of goal, Rashford struggled last term as a off-field problems appeared to impact his on-field productivity.
Most notably, Rashford was spotted in a nightclub in Belfast before reporting ill for training the following morning.
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This came just months after he was spotted in a nightclub following a 3-0 defeat to fierce rivals Man City.
With just eight goals to his name last term and a number of performances that left much to be desired, Rashford was left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad by Gareth Southgate – a seismic blow for a player who is regarded as one of the nation’s most gifted forwards in recent years.
But while last season didn’t go to plan, the 26-year-old clearly has a point to prove this term and gave an early suggestion that he’s fighting fit for this season after looking sharp and dangerous in last weekend’s Community Shield clash at Wembley.
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Rashford managed just eight goals in all competitions for Man United last term
Rashford managed just eight goals in all competitions for Man United last term
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But Ten Hag will be doing all he can to get his star man back to his best
But Ten Hag will be doing all he can to get his star man back to his best
With fans desperate to see Rashford back to his best, is this the season where Man United’s biggest star finds his feet again?
Here’s what talkSPORT’s pundits had to say about Rashford ahead of the new Premier League season…
Ally McCoist
“I think it’s a massive season for Marcus Rashford.
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“I’ve said how disappointed I was in him, his team and the supporters last season, but I think he’s at a crossroads.
“It looks like he is staying at Manchester United – you need a bit of certainty in your future and he’s now got that.
“He’s clearly disappointed in his own level of performance last year and deservedly, in my opinion, missed out on the England Euros squad.
“There’s a big question mark about his future and how he’s going to react to it, so it’s a massive season for him.”
Wes Brown
“I know what he can do. I’m actually excited watching him because there’s a lot of pressure on him and I just hope he comes out the other side.
“I hope that everybody who has put him down, he gets back at them.”
Emile Heskey
“We’ve seen him pull himself back out and this is another chance for him to do that.
“We know what he’s capable of. He might look at it differently, but a lot of people are backing him to rise again because he’s a fantastic player and we know what he’s capable of doing.
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Rashford netted a stunning 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign
Rashford netted a stunning 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign
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A happy Rashford is a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League
A happy Rashford is a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League
“Now, it’s time for him to show it.”
Phil Bardsley
“It’s a huge season for him. It’s obviously a bit of a reality check for him not getting picked for England – it can dent your ego a little bit too.
“Fair play to him, he’s taken himself away this summer and given himself a little break and then got back on the horse.
“It’s important that when you get put down in this game, you have to get up quickly and he’s done that.
“There’s some good noises coming out of the training ground about the work that he’s putting in and so let’s hope he can transfer that into the pitch.
“He’s certainly a player who has got big ability and to have a year like he did last year wasn’t up to his standards.
“It’s probably a time to reflect and to go again this season. Hopefully he can match the 30 goals that he scored the previous season.”
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