Ridiculous! 30 Goals This Season? I Don't Believe It!

Last season, Manchester United embarrassingly fell out of the top six, with an unbalanced attack and defense being the main issues. This summer, they have bolstered their squad with the additions of Jurrien Timber in defense and Joshua Zirkzee upfront. Many remain skeptical about whether these young talents can remedy the team's problems. To provide some context, Marcus Rashford, who was once considered a prodigy with a peak value of €85 million, has struggled to meet expectations, culminating in his omission from this summer's European Championship squad.

Under Gareth Southgate, Rashford accumulated 57 caps, making him a regular fixture. However, his exclusion from the Euros squad was no fluke. Last season, Rashford managed only 8 goals in 43 appearances. Southgate's blunt explanation left little room for misinterpretation: "I just think other players in his position have performed better this season. It's that simple."

Interestingly, Rashford expressed shock at his omission, perhaps still basking in the glory of past successes. United manager Erik ten Hag, who narrowly avoided the sack, did not mince words during the Euros, stating, "When your performance is disappointing, being left out by the national team is a possibility."

Determined not to repeat last season's failures, Rashford has been one of the first to arrive at training, showing promising form. This recalls his two-week training stint in the US two years ago, which led to a stellar 30-goal season in 2022-23. Can history repeat itself? United even brought in former star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as a coach, emphasizing the importance of delivering the ball into the box. Rashford, seen nodding in agreement during training, seems to be absorbing the lessons well.

"I have 100% confidence that Rashford can repeat his form from two years ago," said ten Hag, setting high expectations for his player. However, transforming one’s performance is a challenging process and can easily become a mental burden. Last season, Rashford needed 62 shots to score just 7 Premier League goals, highlighting the high difficulty of replicating past success.

Additionally, when Rashford struggled last season, Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho often filled the scoring void. United's summer acquisition of Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee only adds to the competition for starting spots. While Rashford is likely to start the new season, any slip-up could see him quickly replaced, with United already planning a contingency strategy.

Amidst the financial constraints imposed by new ownership and the Fair Play regulations, United has begun cutting costs. Rashford, earning £325,000 a week, was nearly offloaded. A poll revealed that 51% of fans supported his sale. However, Rashford has lost appeal in the transfer market, even with wealthy clubs like PSG. Despite their interest in replacing Kylian Mbappe, they are unlikely to spend £80 million on him. Rashford has since pledged loyalty to ten Hag, with whom he previously clashed, stating, "We stand united together." This could be seen as self-preservation, given his high salary and coveted number 10 shirt.

Rashford’s journey from a Manchester United academy graduate to a first-team regular is well-documented. His debut goals in the Europa League and Premier League, alongside breaking records held by legends like Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, set high expectations. Despite earning a lucrative new contract, his inconsistent performances have made him a target for criticism, with some fans and pundits questioning his commitment and effort.

Rashford’s story reflects a challenging dynamic at United. Club legends like Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Rio Ferdinand have all voiced their concerns about his attitude. Former Dutch great Marco van Basten’s critique was particularly scathing: "It’s unbelievable. He doesn’t run, doesn’t try to hold the ball, every time he gets the ball, he either passes it back or hits it against an opponent. It looks like he’s playing street football."

Ten Hag’s mandate to rebuild United with homegrown talent remains clear, but so does his authority to make tough decisions. If Rashford’s bold promises do not materialize into tangible success this season, he might find himself out of favor. With a current market value of €60 million, Rashford faces immense pressure to deliver. While ten Hag remains confident, the skepticism among fans persists.