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Marcus Rashford has been delivered an ultimatum by former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen who describes Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford as a “pivotal moment” for the 27-year-old’s career.
Rashford has consistently struggled for form and fitness across the last sixteen months since producing a brilliant season in the 2022/23 campaign, returning an imperious 30 goals and 9 assists across all competitions.
The forward was often the difference between victory and defeat for United, almost single-handedly carrying his side to an impressive 3rd place finish in the Premier League and a Carabao Cup triumph at Wembley in Erik ten Hag’s debut season in English football.
The following year was a complete contrast, however.
Rashford scored just eight times in the 2023/24 season as the Red Devils endured their worst Premier League finish in the club’s history. The England international fell foul of multiple off-the-field incidents, capped off by an alcohol-fuelled weekend in Belfast during the season, which saw him dropped from the United squad for their 4th round FA Cup tie.
Rashford has only been selected for the Three Lions once in the last twelve months, ultimately seeing his drastic decline in form leading to then-manager Gareth Southgate not including him in the squad for the European Championship in Germany in the summer.
It’s constituted a remarkable fall in grace for the 27-year-old who should be entering his prime as a footballer. There there even reports suggesting United would be open to his departure over the summer transfer window if a suitable offer arrived, though this never materialised.
Rashford entered the new season with a renewed commitment and sources at the club indicated this would be a chance for the forward to re-establish himself as one of United’s leading players, given the dearth of goals in the Red Devil attacking unit.
And while Rashford has demonstrated better application and work rate this year, his struggles on the pitch have continued, with only a solitary league goal so far as United rank amongst the lowest scoring sides in the division.
This collective ineffectiveness in front of goal ultimately cost Ten Hag his job at the end of October, with the club moving quickly to relieve the Dutchman of his duties and pursue Amorim as a replacement.
Meulensteen, a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching staff during one of the most successful periods in United’s history, believes this change of manager at Old Trafford represents a make-or-break moment in Rashford’s faltering career.
“Ruben Amorim’s arrival is a pivotal moment in the Manchester United career of Marcus Rashford,” Meulensteen told Tribal Football.
“The new manager will bring fresh ideas and a new motivation which Rashford needs to use to rediscover his best form because he hasn’t been enjoying his football. His body language under Erik ten Hag was not of a player who enjoyed playing and those were not good signs, he needs to buy into the new system because if he doesn’t he will be moved on by Amorim.
“It’s up to both the player and the manager but predominantly Rashford, he’s on huge money but sometimes that isn’t enough motivation.”
Amorim has spoken in absolute terms about the need for an improvement in “standards” at United; often an area where Rashford has fallen short in recent years.
At 27 years of age, on a long-term deal with mammoth wages, Rashford should be one of the standard-setters in a team filled with young players and Meulensteen contends the forward must improve or face a possible departure from his boyhood club.
“Rashford isn’t a young player anymore and he has to live up to expectations and find that desire and passion to play for United again, or he’ll have a problem and might be looking for a new club.”
Amorim is expected to implement his trademark 3-4-3 system with training videos from Carrington already showing the United squad being put through their paces in the new formation. The Portuguese coach has revealed he believes Rashford is capable of playing anywhere in the front line, with The Peoples Person predicting the 27-year-old will lead the line against Ipswich Town later today.
Rashord will need to demonstrate both the “speed and intensity” Amorim has demanded his players improve in, as well as recapturing the clinical touch in front of goal which earned him his blockbuster contract two summers ago.
If not, Meunelsteen warns, the academy graduate runs the risk of needing to find a new home away from Old Trafford sooner rather than later.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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