[Pacificgi]

Out of form in front of goal but he was lively and got in great positions. On another night he'd have scored a couple.

Felt the confidence drain out of him when he got put on the left though. We need to get him more in the centre so he can play on instinct looking to get his shots away.

I think he takes playing on the left too literally at times where he stays out there and backs himself into a corner where he has to try anf take the full back on, hes got the pace but not the skill to do that consistently. He should look to mix it up more like martial and cut inside more to link with others

 

[haram]

Not working for him atm. Cant even get a little slice of luck with him hitting the woodwork. Just got to keep working hard and believe in what he was doing at the start and he’ll be back.

 

[engulfing]

He needs to really work on his left foot. Defenders are pushing him left because they know he can't hurt them with his left. He needs to develop a decent left foot cross then defenders won't be able to choose which side he goes for him. Young has much less pace but his 2 footedness makes him a lot harder to mark.

 

[kul m]

He's got to be a bit patient, he''ll get the rub of the green sooner rather than later, just see him forcing it at the minute,

 

[manunited1919]

I wonder what SAF would be doing with him right now. Hairdryer no doubt. But at the same time he would put his arm around him as a father figure.

But the problem with Rashford this year is perhaps Mourinho has been too supportive of him? All the media superstar in the making s*** has gotten to his head. He needs to play more for the team and stop being so greedy.

 

[Dion]

He's doing the right things. There's a reason Mourinho persists with him. Young players go through hot and cold streaks. I said at the beginning of last year Martial would have a bad season but he would turn it around, got loads of replies saying he would be even better and that I was daft, then the same people wanting him sold come May. If this is as bad as it gets for Marcus then he'll have a brilliant career.

 

[TRA007]

I think the criticism over his decision making will be there through out his career. He does not necessarily make bad decisions, but he more often than not makes selfish decisions and hence becomes an easy target for criticism.
Take for example, the incident where he hit the post from the right. From the moment he recieved the ball he decided to have a go, didnt even pick his head up to spot Lukaku ( who was open in the six yard box). He always backs himself rather than look for a team mate and it is not always wrong.
If the shot comes off, the credit is worth more than the criticism and he is confident enough to take the criticism on to hunt the credit.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He's doing the right things. There's a reason Mourinho persists with him. Young players go through hot and cold streaks. I said at the beginning of last year Martial would have a bad season but he would turn it around, got loads of replies saying he would be even better and that I was daft, then the same people wanting him sold come May. If this is as bad as it gets for Marcus then he'll have a brilliant career.

Yeah, exactly. Mou’s comments about him and Lingard were interesting.

He’s (Lingard is) the opposite of Marcus because Marcus scores unbelievable goals in training and missed unbelievable chances in games. I’m not worried with Marcus because his good moment will arrive.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Should have scored the header. Unlucky with the other shot that hit the post.

 

[cletus7]

Bit of a chip on his shoulder this season. Effecting his teamwork. Doesn’t quite have the talent to back him his brash decision making... but to be fair that might come. He’s got the potential.

 

[Dion]

Yeah, exactly. Mou’s comments about him and Lingard were interesting.

Half surprised there isn't a thread saying "Mourinho criticises Lingard's training levels" off the back of that quote.

 

[Rozay]

He's just lost confidence. I actually don't know why when he'd been doing well.

Jose probably needs to calm him down and take him out of the firing line a bit. Maybe don't start him for a while and let him come on for the last 15 or 20 minutes, preferably in those games where we're in a strong position so he doesn't feel this crushing pressure when he tries to score. At least he won't have the pressure of thinking that if he misses it will affect the outcome of the match. He might relax a bit then...

That’s exactly what Jose has been doing.

 

[Tincanalley]

Yeah, exactly. Mou’s comments about him and Lingard were interesting.

Does that mean he is actually a little bit worried about Marcus? I feel the 'childish' comments a couple of weeks ago were heading in that direction, too. Bringing on Zlatan, arguably before he was quite ready, had that something to do with these worries? Tonight he said Rashford was not going to score, he needed Lukaku and Martial on the field, or something to that effect. I know he came close a few times. But he made some very basic mistakes. One in a defensive position in the first half. He really needed to score or assist a couple of goals, with just a bit more calm, a bit more of a level head. Other posters here are advocating patience, and that's fair enough, generous and wise, but from the manager's side of things I suspect it needs to come right for Mr MR sooner rather than later.

 

[Nucks]

Half surprised there isn't a thread saying "Mourinho criticises Lingard's training levels" off the back of that quote.

It's better to be a gamer, than a practice ground legend The problem is, when coaches get fixated on the guys who look like magic training, and give them all the opportunities, sometimes you miss the guys who can't turn it on in practice, but can for the real thing.

Lingard is a gamer, that's pretty clear. Guy just performs in matches, whether or not his training is good, is irrelevant so long as his performs in games.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Does that mean he is actually a little bit worried about Marcus? I feel the 'childish' comments a couple of weeks ago were heading in that direction, too. Bringing on Zlatan, arguably before he was quite ready, had that something to do with these worries? Tonight he said Rashford was not going to score, he needed Lukaku and Martial on the field, or something to that effect. I know he came close a few times. But he made some very basic mistakes. One in a defensive position in the first half. He really needed to score or assist a couple of goals, with just a bit more calm, a bit more of a level head. Other posters here are advocating patience, and that's fair enough, generous and wise, but from the manager's side of things I suspect it needs to come right for Mr MR sooner rather than later.

The manager is watching someone several years older than Rashford (Jesse) only start to fulfill his full potential this season. When he says he’s not worried I’m sure he means it.

 

[automaticflare]

I don't think he lost confidence at all

The fact he took on the effort to hit the post shows he is backing himself
It's just a decision making thing which he will learn from experience
He has an abundance of confidence his decision making needs to improve

As someone else said he will be streaky reason being his high confidence has him trying things regardless of the options around

Persist with the lad he will come good

No excuse for the header tho should have buried that

 

[RC89]

People writing him off are just daft, I bet you were the same people that thought he was nailed on world class talent last season. Lots of young players go through tough seasons, look at martial from his first season to last season. It happens.

Having said that, it's not his end product that really gets me (although it obviously does need to improve significantly) it's more his attitude on the pitch of not looking to play someone in and thinking he's Ronaldo.

 

[Fluctuation0161]

I wonder what SAF would be doing with him right now. Hairdryer no doubt. But at the same time he would put his arm around him as a father figure.

But the problem with Rashford this year is perhaps Mourinho has been too supportive of him? All the media superstar in the making s*** has gotten to his head. He needs to play more for the team and stop being so greedy.

Mourinho said in his press conference that Rashford scores from all over the place in training but it is not happening for him in the games right now. He obviously sees the talent and ability in him and is trying to utilise it.

 

[calodo2003]

Needs to be shut down for a few games à la Mkhitaryan. Rashford's play has been poor for a while, let him earn his place back in the game day squad. No reason for him not to be treated in the same manner.

 

[RRCE]

Rashford will be fine. He’s not in his best form at the moment, but he’ll get out of it sooner rather than later. He’s making mistakes, but still doing lots of things right. Aside from simply having a lack of attacking options, I think that’s the main reason why Jose persists with him. He clearly respects Rashford’s work ethic and commitment to the game. I think his post-match comments were well chosen.

 

[MS4]

Could have had a hattrick today. All his Finishing "luck" went over to lingard.
He will come good, he had the Chances

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

What I like about Rashford is he'll never stop trying, even when aren't particularly going well, as we saw at times yesterday.

Didn't really get much joy out on the left. A lot better on the right, and was really unlucky with his shot that came off the post.

Still young, still learning. Has the right mentality too. Not fazed by anything.

 

[SwansonsTache]

Needs to learn how to be a team player, he is pretty greedy on the ball.

 

[engulfing]

Hes better this season than last which is all you can ask for really. Its not his fault we are depending on a kid to produce for us and to be a key player and win titles. In 2 years he will hopefully be the finished product but till then you can't really expect consistency from a 21 year old. His shooting is alot better this season when given space. He needs more craft in the box to buy space to shoot, better off the ball movement when in the box and a better left footed cross.

 

[noodlehair]

Rashford needs a spell on the bench and it's starting to become baffling why Jose wont do it.

He's playing selfishly and lazily and is out of form. That freekick from the byline tonight summed him up at the moment. Has a shot at goal from an impossible angle when his team mates have come forward lookinf for a cross. Shot is so terrible it hits the one man wall, then instead of chasing the loose ball down which he could have gotten to, he stands waving his arms around as if he's having a sulk.

He must be getting shit from team mates by this point because he's playing llike he thinks he's bigger than the team, yet of late is often the least useful person in it.

He needs a kick up the arse to re-focus and it needs to come from the manager.

 

[ti vu]

While he is still out of form, I see improvement from him from the previous games. He starts work as part of the team rather trying to be a poor man Ronaldo. The bad luck from Pogba last season however transferred to him. Seems like hitting the woodwork every game now.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

At least he's getting in the positions to get opportunities, that's the 2nd most important thing as a striker, the most important is then scoring, but he's getting close multiple times a game - in fact, that's what draws attention to the fact he isn't scoring, if you understand what I mean...

When a striker is literally invisible and gets no 'should've scored' opportunities, that's when they're really off the rhythm, Rashford is right there, he just isn't a great finisher, and on top of that he isn't in his best form.

To be honest, I think it's a lot to ask of him at this stage to be a CF in a European giant aiming to win the biggest prizes in club footy.

I think he'd be better on loan somewhere like Everton/Watford etc where he'd be getting PL footy but with a lot less pressure and it'd free us (and Mourinho) up to have peak strikers who are cut out for what we need.

Not saying Rashford won't get there, just that he's not there now, and I'm not sure playing in this Utd side, with our aims, is gonna get him there.

 

[meamth]

I'm not worried. The lad is working hard and the focus is there. I mean what was Jesse like in 20?

Rashford will be a great player.

 

[DdeGoat]

Not too many complaints with his performances. He is young and learning. I don't see anything wrong with him being a little bit selfish either. He has been unfortunate in hitting the post with some amazing regularity. A couple of inches here and there, and we would talking about the lad already being on close to 15 goals at the half way point in the season. This is all part of the learning curve.

 

[ti vu]

At least he's getting in the positions to get opportunities, that's the 2nd most important thing as a striker, the most important is then scoring, but he's getting close multiple times a game - in fact, that's what draws attention to the fact he isn't scoring, if you understand what I mean...

When a striker is literally invisible and gets no 'should've scored' opportunities, that's when they're really off the rhythm, Rashford is right there, he just isn't a great finisher, and on top of that he isn't in his best form.

To be honest, I think it's a lot to ask of him at this stage to be a CF in a European giant aiming to win the biggest prizes in club footy.

I think he'd be better on loan somewhere like Everton/Watford etc where he'd be getting PL footy but with a lot less pressure and it'd free us (and Mourinho) up to have peak strikers who are cut out for what we need.

Not saying Rashford won't get there, just that he's not there now, and I'm not sure playing in this Utd side, with our aims, is gonna get him there.

Disagree. Some players may need loan because they ain't matured mentally to stay in the first team with limited game time but being pressured to do their best when the chance arrive. Rashford is clearly up to it. You don't send off form first team player (Rashford is) on loan. Loanees are often those that need the experience to grow mentally when their physicality and skill is ready.

 

[KM]

He's in a off form lately but good to see many on these boards aren't writing him off. He's still a great talent.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

Disagree. Some players may need loan because they ain't matured mentally to stay in the first team but limited game time but being pressured to do their best when the chance arrive. Rashford is clearly up to it and off form even so called . You don't send off form first team player (Rashford is) on loan. Loanees are often those that need the experience to grow mentality when their physicality and skill is already ready.

Fair play, and I hope you're right.

But when you say, 'Rashford is clearly up to it', that's the bit that I don't think is currently the case...

I think we have to remember what 'up to it' means for a Man Utd CF. It means being one of the best CFs in the PL, perhaps in Europe, and he isn't, but he's young and very talented.

I just think we have to be realistic and answer these three questions -

1. Do we wanna see Rashford playing wide or as a proper CF?

2. Can Man Utd do better than Rashford playing wide?

3. How much time can Utd give Rashford as a CF?

It's the answers to those 3 that make me feel like a good loan would be the best thing for us (and him), and I do think he's a player who could go on loan and really, really shine and then come back and come good.

I just think as this team progresses, and the targets become higher, we have to be realistic about whether we can reach those heights with Rashford as a CF.

It's just opinion, and feck knows I was wrong about Jesse Lingard, so I could (and hopefully am) be wrong here too!

 

[ti vu]

Fair play, and I hope you're right.

But when you say, 'Rashford is clearly up to it', that's the bit that I don't think is currently the case...

I think we have to remember what 'up to it' means for a Man Utd CF. It means being one of the best CFs in the PL, perhaps in Europe, and he isn't, but he's young and very talented.

I just think we have to be realistic and answer these three questions -

1. Do we wanna see Rashford playing wide or as a proper CF?

2. Can Man Utd do better than Rashford playing wide?

3. How much time can Utd give Rashford as a CF?

It's the answers to those 3 that make me feel like a good loan would be the best thing for us (and him), and I do think he's a player who could go on loan and really, really shine and then come back and come good.

I just think as this team progresses, and the targets become higher, we have to be realistic about whether we can reach those heights with Rashford as a CF.

It's just opinion, and feck knows I was wrong about Jesse Lingard, so I could (and hopefully am) be wrong here too!

What I meant up to it, is the mentality part which Mourinho and other sources close to the club clearly confirms he has that burning determine which you can associate with this club. Mentality part often being underestimated. Some players may be classier with outward skill on ball, but strong will but flawed player can still make up and fight on equal ground. Which countless of SAF's players are.

1. I don't have preference but the way I saw him, he's CF but roaming, not the one staying central. The kind of Suarez at L'pool where he is every where of attacking position. This also would clear up point 2.

3. I saw the chemistry between Lukaku & Martial as better than either of the duo with Rashford. Rashford being the youngest, it's not like he needs to play every minute and we can't find him gametime (he has been involved in every game this season, right?). People may expect a world class player and seeing that you need to concentrate all your might to develop Rashford. How about being a bit laid back, instead seeking for no pressure at other club (which many times loan deal doesn't work out well), having correct level of expectation. That's way Rashford will still both have sufficient push to move forward without being choked by the same pressure.

You hypothesized about us having to aim higher but failed to take into account that Rashford by that time may be able to improve to stay relevant. We can start worry when we're there first.

 

[Suedesi]

Not seeing any improvement in him whatsoever.

Just puts his head down and either starts to dribble, shoot or cross. No guile, no spatial awareness, no finesse, just a player going by the wayside.

I'm afraid time is running short on Marcus "better than Mbappe" Rashford.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

What I meant up to it, is the mentality part which Mourinho and other sources close to the club clearly confirms he has that burning determine which you can associate with this club. Mentality part often being underestimated. Some players may be classier with outward skill on ball, but strong will but flawed player can still make up and fight on equal ground. Which countless of SAF's players are.

Don't agree with all points (but I do see what you're saying), but the above is a great point about Rashford that I definitely totally agree with.

That's another side of what I meant when I said he's constantly getting opportunities and going for them - he isn't shying away or going into his shell, at all.

And you're right, that's a massive attribute in a player at the highest level. Lingard also has this (in buckets).

Yeah, Rashford has that determination to make it written all over him. I know it's 'off-pitch', but in interviews when he talks about training and his own expectations you can really see this quiet yet fierce drive. Kane has always had that too.

I love his attitude and I think he's really likeable.

There are just a few things about his game that I think he should go on loan to work on -

His heading seems to be a real weak spot if he's to be a CF

His decision making (particularly recently) is sometimes lacking and can end up breaking down a lot of our counters

His finishing while not bad by any means, seems to suffer when he has time to think

I actually think all these can be fixed (or at least improved greatly), and in my opinion that should happen on loan, but like I said before, I doubted Lingard was even worth 100k a week so what the feck do I know!

 

[Mr Smith]

I wonder what SAF would be doing with him right now. Hairdryer no doubt. But at the same time he would put his arm around him as a father figure.

But the problem with Rashford this year is perhaps Mourinho has been too supportive of him? All the media superstar in the making s*** has gotten to his head. He needs to play more for the team and stop being so greedy.

There's nothing wrong with a young striker being a bit greedy in my opinion. I'd rather that than his head drop and start hiding by playing too safe. The fact that he's still trying things and still taking shots on goal suggests he still believes he can score, and is trying to play through this bad patch of form.

I agree with a poster above that he needs to expand his game and use his left foot more though. He'll be OK, he's still very young.

 

[ti vu]

Not seeing any improvement in him whatsoever.

Just puts his head down and either starts to dribble, shoot or cross. No guile, no spatial awareness, no finesse, just a player going by the wayside.

I'm afraid time is running short on Marcus "better than Mbappe" Rashford.

He is off form so he doesn't pull thing out cleanly, but you can see he's having more and more wicked shot (which only start with some set piece here and there toward last season). His stats improves alot despite going bad form. So in a sense, he once his form recover, and the new improvement kick on, that Rashford by the sound may not be all that but can be deadly. He has more option to choose than just trying outrun to get on chance. Now he with confidence can shoot. It's harder for defender to deal with. This game he had better decision making than previous games when he plays for himself instead of passing when that better option is available. He still takes shot but know to pass. That's an improvement

 

[KM]

Not seeing any improvement in him whatsoever.

Just puts his head down and either starts to dribble, shoot or cross. No guile, no spatial awareness, no finesse, just a player going by the wayside.

I'm afraid time is running short on Marcus "better than Mbappe" Rashford.

Maybe people for like you who have nothing praise to say for the club anyways. Other people who are far more sensible are patient and rightly so.

And also don't bring this Mbappé shit in this thread again.

 

[Greck]

His poor decisions stem from tunnel vision not selfishness. Also don't know if he can make high degree difficulty passes consistently

 

[Zlaatan]

Something clearly needs to happen, this slump has been going on for too long now. Yes he's young and yes he can become a great player if X and if Y, but over the past couple of months he hasn't been good enough. People say that he was unlucky a couple of times yesterday like that gives him some sort of excuse to be poor for the 90min+ he's on the pitch..
It's one thing to be good in training like Mourinho says he is but if you can't repeat that on match day then it doesn't matter does it? Let him be fantastic in training then for a few weeks and build his confidence instead of playing him week in and week out and have 70.000 people moan and groan every time he loses the ball or misses a chance.