Has the cult of Rashford become more important than the player?

[bsCallout]

Not to mention "18 year old Wanye Kest Rooney as our main goal threat" only happened because the actual main goal threat was injured for most of the season, and it didn't even work that well. He scored 11 league goals and we finished 18 points off the champions. The way that guy phrased it, you'd think young Wazza singlehandedly fired his team to the title.

From memory, Rooney scored 12 league goals and had 10-12 assists the season he turned 23, playing in a way better team - Rashford had 11 and 9 just now. Was Rooney a better player than Rashford at the same age? Yes, but he also had the same tendency to misfire in front of goal, go on hot streaks followed by droughts, and disguise some average performances with decisive goals or assists.

And that's the point all the people defending him make: Rashford is far, far closer to that level than the ludicrous Welbeck/Lingard comparisons that keep popping up in these topics.

Let's also acknowledge that at no point did Rooney play more than 50 games in a season. Rashford played 57 in a congested season carrying an injury. We all know Rooney peaked early too. People like to compare Rashford to a Rooney to say 'look what Rooney was doing at that age' when you can just as easily say 'where was Vardy at that age?'.

Edit: He did once

 

[JPRouve]

Not to mention "18 year old Wanye Kest Rooney as our main goal threat" only happened because the actual main goal threat was injured for most of the season, and it didn't even work that well. He scored 11 league goals and we finished 18 points off the champions. The way that guy phrased it, you'd think young Wazza singlehandedly fired his team to the title.

From memory, Rooney scored 12 league goals and had 10-12 assists the season he turned 23, playing in a way better team - Rashford had 11 and 9 just now. Was Rooney a better player than Rashford at the same age? Yes, but he also had the same tendency to misfire in front of goal, go on hot streaks followed by droughts, and disguise some average to poor performances with decisive goals or assists.

And that's the point all the people defending him make: Rashford is far, far closer to that level than the ludicrous Welbeck/Lingard comparisons that keep popping up in these topics.

Exactly, Rooney was mainly a support player until Ronaldo left, before that the attack was either built around prime Van Nistelrooy or an ascending Ronaldo and even as a support player you could question whether he was the main co-star in attack, Giggs, Nani, Saha and Tevez were often as important for the team. Now to put it in the context of Rashford and United in 2021, it's fair to believe that we need to add talent which may or may not push Rashford down the pecking order, that's exactly what great teams do, they don't lambast their current best players, they bring players that are at their level or above and let them compete and support each others. It's important to keep in mind that football is played at 11 and that titles are won with a 15-16 rotation of players, at least.

 

[lysglimt]

There is no evidence of this. Rashford has always been a very inconsistent/more than occasionally poor performer. There is no correlation with when he started his activism with his performances.

I know - that's why I wrote I THINK. But let's be honest - if Rashford had spent the same amount of time doing something selfish, that viewpoint would have been much more accepted .

 

[lysglimt]

Let's also acknowledge that at no point did Rooney play more than 50 games in a season. Rashford played 57 in a congested season carrying an injury. We all know Rooney peaked early too. People like to compare Rashford to a Rooney to say 'look what Rooney was doing at that age' when you can just as easily say 'where was Vardy at that age?'.

Well he did once play 55 games - but it's still a good point you make.

 

[stw2022]

The injury thing seems like an excuse . Barely missed a minute, fit enough to go to the Euros.

At what point does being off form end and “whenever I play bad it means I’m injured” begin?

Sure he may be playing with knocks and niggles but name a player who doesn’t multiple times during a season

 

[Forevergiggs1]

How good is Rashford in the grand scheme of things? A top 100 player in the world? Top 50? Top 20?

2019/20 top 20-30
2020/21 top 100
2021/22 is going to be a massive season for Rashford. He produces last seasons performances then we should start to worry. He produces 19/20 performances then he'll solidify himself as a key member of our starting 11.

 

[Swiss_Red89]

The injury thing seems like an excuse . Barely missed a minute, fit enough to go to the Euros.

At what point does being off form end and “whenever I play bad it means I’m injured” begin?

Sure he may be playing with knocks and niggles but name a player who doesn’t multiple times during a season

Mate in every Rashford Thread I look you are there, constantly talking him down and seem desperate to prove that he is not good enough with questionable arguments. Your tenacity is almost admirable

At some points you are right, Rashford has his flaws and is still not the finished article. He is inconsistent and still can be very frustrating. It's questionable why he played almost every game this season while often clearly not being fully fit. For the ones who expected him to become Ronaldo or Rooney 2.0, yes they'll be disappointed because he isn't.

But what you are doing is to completely overlook the goods he already has delivered in his young career. Yes he was inconsistent this season, but statistically he absolutely delivered the last two season. After Lukaku left and he got his new contract in summer 19, the pressure on the lad to perform was huge at the beginning of 19/20. They way you are talking about him now, you would think he completely failed to perform for the last two seasons. From October 19 until his stress facture in January 20 he was topclass, on his way to one of the best players in the world. He was on his physical best and his confidence was rock high, what showed in his performances. Without him we would have been in big trouble in this season before Brunos arrival.

What then happened, he got his stress fracture and was out for several months. A stress fracture is no joke, so it was understandable that he wasn't immediately the same player after Lockdown in June 20. His performances where inconsistent, but he still showed promising games and was able to deliver goals and assists.

Then the 20/21 season started, Rashford started it strong with worldclass goals vs Brighton and PSG away and topclass performances vs Leipzig or Newcastle. At this point we all hoped that the Rashford before his strass fracture will finally be back. He then injured his shoulder in the home game vs Arsenal. And since then, i agree his struggles in this season started. Despite him still managing to assist and score a lot, he didn't look the same player. He didn't look fit to me, not as explosive and agile as he could be. His workrate dropped enormous and he was at his inconsistent best. He could lose the ball 5/5 times and then suddenly deliver a peach of a cross onto Cavanis head for example (Everton at home or Villa away).

In a nutsheel, it's obvious for me that he's struggeling with injuries since November 20. It is most likely not an excuse from him, he really had and probably still has them. The different is, he is alway doing anything to be available and plays through the pain bareer when other players would left themselves out injured for several weeks.

What you are now doing, you are hammering him in every thread for not being good enough and even accusing him of faking injuries as an excuse. Ungrateful and disrespectful in the highest degree. The lad is doing everything he can for the club, is a brilliant personality and there is some much potential that he can become a worldclass player if fully fit again. Why you think it's right to constantly talk him down in here, I can't understand.

And for the euros: I agree, it would've been the best for him to take the summer off and doesn't travel. But then again, he's desperate to play and loves playing for England, so i'm not surprised he doesn't want to cancel the Euros. I for one hope he can play a strong part in the euros and then gets 4-5 weeks rest and holidays. He can then return in August to be ready around start of September. And then, fingers crossed, we are able to see a fully fit and firing Rashford again next season. When on form, he's a joy to watch und such an exciting player.

 

[R0nald0]

Personally think Rashford can still make it as a top 10 player in the world but he is very far from that at the moment. He's had a horrible last few months, playing very poorly with little output. Given the quality in his position, and his form, it'll be a crime if he starts the first game of the Euros but given it's Southgate, I wouldn't be surprised!

Actually think it would have done him some good to not be picked, get a rest and a bit of a reality check

 

[Fletchageddon]

Rashford is world class. He's injured and been made to carry this united team for a few years now. He's also stupidly playing through the Euros injured. He needs two months off or he well end up properly damaged. Once he's fit he'll be more consistent. At this point it's on Ole to say no to him and force the rest upon him.

 

[RUCK4444]

The injury thing seems like an excuse . Barely missed a minute, fit enough to go to the Euros.

At what point does being off form end and “whenever I play bad it means I’m injured” begin?

Sure he may be playing with knocks and niggles but name a player who doesn’t multiple times during a season

I see your point but, and I’ve mentioned this previous, there are players who are willing and desperate to play with knocks (like Rashford) and players who are happy to sit out weeks and months at a time with the same type of knocks (see Bailly, Jones etc.)

Other players would have sat and recouped for weeks and weeks but Rashford wanted to play and thank god he did because regardless of what people think about him this season we needed his goals and assists big time, especially considering Martial has been appalling during that time.

I’m confident once he’s recovered from injury and he’s not carrying knocks that we will see a more consistent Rashford.

 

[9 Stone Elvis]

I think you have applaud the numbers that Rashford is attaining and I think any perceived criticism of him is only in terms of striving for better rather than saying "he's crap" or anything daft like that.

I see the goals and assists of the last couple of seasons and the stats dont lie. However I also watch him play and I see the number of times he uses very poor judgement, runs down blind alleys and loses possession. It feels to me like it happens a lot and it feels to me like his isnt improving in that area. Maybe thats just a perception though.

As for his off the field stuff I think we can all agree he is a remarkable man and what he is doing is to be applauded and indeed it has been - universally. However fans of other teams dont have to look at the rounded picture, they can just look at the off the field stuff and appreciate it while we at United have to also look at his on field performance. For me because he is clearly such a good guy it feel a bit like shooting Bambi to bring up criticism of his on field work.

I think within the fanbase we also have two distinct camps and whenever this happens it polarises views. There are those who love him because he came through the ranks and is a Man Utd fan and they at the more extreme ends will defend him for those reasons. At the other end there are those who say that he is only avoiding criticism because he is one of our own and if he was bought in for big money we would be far more critical. We have been down this road before with other players. I think therefore we tend to get more polarised views than the reality which probably has him somewhere in the middle in terms of either praise or criticism.

 

[KikiDaKats]

Even McTominay doesn't deserve criticism, ideally he is a valuable squad player in a top team. People tend to overlook the fact that great teams like United, Juventus and Milan in the early 2000s had the likes of Phil Neville, Ambrosini or Tacchinardi, the great Barcelona of Pep had Seydou Keita. People are living in a different dimension if they think that players of that level deserve criticism.

Really? You’re ruining the thread. Great teams are for superstars not great players. Players that do their jobs right and effect results.
Public profile and output get conflated here a lot. I’m not saying we can’t do without some of these lads that get the brunt of our criticism but they are miles better than some of the guys deemed better than them.

 

[Dante]

If we go with non penalty goals.

Rank	Player	Age	Club	Goals	Assists	Total	Penalty goals	Non Penalty goals + Assists
1	Erling Haaland	20	Borussia Dortmund	41	12	53	3​	50​
2	Robert Lewandowski	32	Bayern Munich	48	8	56	10​	46​
3	Lionel Messi	33	FC Barcelona	38	14	52	7​	45​
4	Kylian Mbappé	22	Paris Saint-Germain	42	11	53	9​	44​
5	Harry Kane	27	Tottenham Hotspur	33	17	50	6​	44​
6	Karim Benzema	33	Real Madrid	30	9	39	0​	39​
7	Heung-min Son	28	Tottenham Hotspur	22	17	39	1​	38​
8	Thomas Müller	31	Bayern Munich	15	24	39	3​	36​
9	Luis Muriel	30	Atalanta BC	26	11	37	2​	35​
10	Marcus Rashford	23	Manchester United	21	15	36	2​	34​
11	Romelu Lukaku	28	Inter Milan	30	10	40	7​	33​
12	Jadon Sancho	21	Borussia Dortmund	16	20	36	3​	33​
13	Bruno Fernandes	26	Manchester United	28	17	45	13​	32​
14	André Silva	25	Eintracht Frankfurt	29	10	39	7​	32​
15	Wout Weghorst	28	VfL Wolfsburg	25	9	34	2​	32​
16	Duván Zapata	30	Atalanta BC	19	14	33	1​	32​
17	Cristiano Ronaldo	36	Juventus FC	36	4	40	9​	31​
18	Antoine Griezmann	30	FC Barcelona	20	12	32	1​	31​
19	Álvaro Morata	28	Juventus FC	20	12	32	1​	31​
20	Mohamed Salah	28	Liverpool FC	31	6	37	7​	30​
21	Gerard Moreno	29	Villarreal CF	30	11	41	12​	29​
22	Johannes Eggestein	23	SV Werder Bremen	20	9	29​	0​	29​
23	Lautaro Martínez	23	Inter Milan	19	11	30	2​	28​
24	Memphis Depay	27	Olympique Lyon	22	12	34	8​	26​
25	Ciro Immobile	31	SS Lazio	25	8	33	7​	26​
26	Lars Stindl	32	Borussia Mönchengladbach	17	15	32	7​	25​
27	Andrej Kramaric	29	TSG 1899 Hoffenheim	25	6	31	7​	24​
28	Lorenzo Insigne	29	SSC Napoli	19	11	30	7​	23​
29	Wissam Ben Yedder	30	AS Monaco	22	9	31	11​	20​

Documentary proof that he was one of the top 10 most productive players in Europe last season.

Anybody who thinks Rashford is better Messi or Kane is overrating him. But I don't think anybody is. Hardly the stuff of 'cults'.

If somebody thinks that Rashford's end product doesn't tell the whole story, that's fair enough. But it does tell enough of a story to make a strong case for him being a top class player.

 

[JPRouve]

Really? You’re ruining the thread. Great teams are for superstars not great players. Players that do their jobs right and effect results.
Public profile and output get conflated here a lot. I’m not saying we can’t do without some of these lads that get the brunt of our criticism but they are miles better than some of the guys deemed better than them.

I'll be honest, I don't understand the point that you are making or the relation to my post.

 

[JPRouve]

Not saying this to contradict you, just adding to the conversation.

In fairness to Rooney, what you're saying isn't wrong, but you don't become all time goalscorer at a club like Man Utd playing purely a support role. Rooney was a team player that sacrificed himself for the greater good and that's why he often played support to other players. Ronaldo wouldn't have been capable of playing the role Rooney played at United at that time, that's why he was often played in positions and roles where he was more supportive. To become all time goalscorer in that way is nothing short of incredible.

As far as the Rashford debate goes, yes he has played a lot, and has produced some wonderful stuff, whilst carrying an ankle injury and coming off the back of a season where he had a double stress fracture in his back, the type of injury that could finish a career. Far too much expectation on him at this stage, but he is handling it superbly, and anyone questioning a 23 year olds contribution needs their head examined.

Support player isn't meant as a criticism or lowering of his abilities but I was simply highlighting the role that he had and his place in the pecking order in attack. Think about Benzema for Real Madrid, he is the top assist maker in Real Madrid's history and top 5 goalscorer, he has more goals for them than Rooney and he has played the same amount of games but surely we both agree on the fact that for a long time he was a support player with Ronaldo being the top dog and in many seasons the likes of Ozil and Di Maria being larger focal points.

My point isn't about the quality of Rooney, Benzema or Rashford but the misguided idea that a player can only be great or valuable if he is perceived as the top dog, that's blatantly wrong and I could add someone like Villa at Barcelona or simply Giggs at United.

 

[JJ12]

He’s a good player who has suffered with injuries all season. Don’t think he’s hit his ‘peak’.

Also would like to see him bulk up a little bit more.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

Why is Marcus Rashford being singled out as the poster boy for our 'failure' of a season? He's getting it from all angles. I just don't get it.

He's frustrated at times but he's made up for a lot that frustration with goals and assists. We've got way worse performers in the squad over the full season.

Is it a tory thing? Ever since he came out as a hero for the poor he's been getting pelters.

 

[9 Stone Elvis]

Why is Marcus Rashford being singled out as the poster boy for our 'failure' of a season? He's getting it from all angles. I just don't get it.

He's frustrated at times but he's made up for a lot that frustration with goals and assists. We've got way worse performers in the squad over the full season.

Is it a tory thing? Ever since he came out as a hero for the poor he's been getting pelters.

I would say the opposite is true. Ever since he came out as a hero of the poor any criticism is jumped on.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

I would say the opposite is true. Ever since he came out as a hero of the poor any criticism is jumped on.

How's that the opposite? That's what I said unless I have misunderstood your post.

For me there's plenty of players who haven't delivered in this squad this season above Rashford.

Lindelof, Wan Bissaka, Fred, Mctomminay, Pogba, Martial have all been either medicore to decent. None of them have been great.

 

[Giggsy13]

21 goals and 15 assists this season without the benefit of rotation along with playing very heavy minutes the last few years. That’s why signing Sancho makes so much sense. Competition for places will elevate a player like Rashford.

 

[9 Stone Elvis]

How's that the opposite? That's what I said unless I have misunderstood your post.

For me there's plenty of players who haven't delivered in this squad this season above Rashford.

Lindelof, Wan Bissaka, Fred, Mctomminay, Pogba, Martial have all been either medicore to decent. None of them have been great.

What Im saying is you are jumped on by some if you criticise Rashford at all. If you criticise any of the other players you have mentioned it doesnt spark the same type of response though. They are fair game. However if you criticise Rashford apparently you are a Tory sympathiser who believes footballers should know their place rather than being someone who wishes he didn't give the ball away so much.....

 

[Nou_Camp99]

What Im saying is you are jumped on by some if you criticise Rashford at all. If you criticise any of the other players you have mentioned it doesnt spark the same type of response though. They are fair game. However if you criticise Rashford apparently you are a Tory sympathiser who believes footballers should know their place rather than being someone who wishes he didn't give the ball away so much.....

I haven't said don't criticise him. I too have definitely noticed a drop off from him latter end of season but he's clearly not fit. He's not even running properly in my opinion. Surely most people should be aiming their frustration at Ole for that?

I see it creeping over to the England squad too now and he shouldn't be in it because his performances haven't merited it. I have just checked and only Harry Kane in the entire squad has scored more goals than him this season. Rashford and Calvert Lewin next best with 21 goals in total each and Rashford doesn't even play upfront for us.

Martial has had a shocking season. Rashford has had a bumpy one but he's still delivered good numbers. There's clear bias in our fanbase.

 

[Forevergiggs1]

How's that the opposite? That's what I said unless I have misunderstood your post.

For me there's plenty of players who haven't delivered in this squad this season above Rashford.

Lindelof, Wan Bissaka, Fred, Mctomminay, Pogba, Martial have all been either medicore to decent. None of them have been great.

Except for Pogba who also has had his (un)fair share of criticisms the others you mentioned are nothing more than squad players. I think it's an unperceived view that players that show World class ability as both Pogba and Rashford have done are expected to play that way week in week out. When they don't then the knives come out. Is it unfair? Of course it is but unfortunately that's the way of life. No one expects too much of the little guys which is why they receive half as much criticism as a Pogba or Rashford.

Martial was a case in point but I think most of us have given up on him. Some players just aren't worth the effort.

 

[9 Stone Elvis]

I haven't said don't criticise him. I too have definitely noticed a drop off from him latter end of season but he's clearly not fit. He's not even running properly in my opinion. Surely most people should be aiming their frustration at Ole for that?

I see it creeping over to the England squad too now and he shouldn't be in it because his performances haven't merited it. I have just checked and only Harry Kane in the entire squad has scored more goals than him this season. Rashford and Calvert Lewin next best with 21 goals in total each and Rashford doesn't even play upfront for us.

Martial has had a shocking season. Rashford has had a bumpy one but he's still delivered good numbers. There's clear bias in our fanbase.

Im not saying you have said not to criticise him Im saying thats the tone Im seeing in some quarters.

I think generally there are some fans who are far too harsh but I think some criticism is merited and I also think that 23 isnt THAT young when you have 300 games under your belt.

We keep talking about how our standards have dropped and how we aren't where we want to be and I wonder if those are the same people who are suggesting that we need to give Rashford more time to develop etc etc.

And before anyone jumps on me I want all our players to be great and I have absolutely no ulterior motive for saying anything negative about any player other than it being my opinion. I hope h blasts in 30 goals next season!

 

[Nou_Camp99]

Im not saying you have said not to criticise him Im saying thats the tone Im seeing in some quarters.

I think generally there are some fans who are far too harsh but I think some criticism is merited and I also think that 23 isnt THAT young when you have 300 games under your belt.

We keep talking about how our standards have dropped and how we aren't where we want to be and I wonder if those are the same people who are suggesting that we need to give Rashford more time to develop etc etc.

And before anyone jumps on me I want all our players to be great and I have absolutely no ulterior motive for saying anything negative about any player other than it being my opinion. I hope h blasts in 30 goals next season!

He doesn't need to develop much more. He just needs to get healthy and fully fit.

He's got 21 goals and 16 assists playing poorly. When rubbish players play poorly they don't get anything close to those returns. He has despite very bumpy performances which suggests the quality is there.

 

[golden_blunder]

No

he’s in poor form, he’s not a poor player

He needs rest and we need a squad which will support us taking him out when required

 

[L1nk]

The spotlight is on Rashford a lot because of the good things he has done off the pitch, and it becomes a bit of a problem when it comes to on the pitch activities because the manager will be questioned why he doesn't play him or why he substituted him etc. In all honesty, he is a great player, but I do not think he is world class by any stretch of the imagination, anyone who is saying he isn't good though is being OTT.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

The spotlight is on Rashford a lot because of the good things he has done off the pitch, and it becomes a bit of a problem when it comes to on the pitch activities because the manager will be questioned why he doesn't play him or why he substituted him etc. In all honesty, he is a great player, but I do not think he is world class by any stretch of the imagination, anyone who is saying he isn't good though is being OTT.

This a a fair post and I agree with pretty much everything.

And just to further add to the point.....we don't have any or many world class players really. Bruno is probably closest thing we have. Cavani possibly too although he's definitely not as good as he was. Anyone who says Pogba is now is living in fantasy world too. He's not been world class for us over the 5 years. He's had world class games here and there but nowhere near enough of them to be included. And I agree Rashford isn't world class.

Greenwood has the potential to be world class though and I think he will be.

 

[L1nk]

This a a fair post and I agree with pretty much everything.

And just to further add to the point.....we don't have any or many world class players really. Bruno is probably closest thing we have. Cavani possibly too although he's definitely not as good as he was. Anyone who says Pogba is now is living in fantasy world too. He's not been world class for us over the 5 years. He's had world class games here and there but nowhere near enough of them to be included. And I agree Rashford isn't world class.

Greenwood has the potential to be world class though and I think he will be.

Yeah good post, and to add further, the reason i brought World Class up is because I think it tends to be a general opinion, particularly amongst media, that he is this world class player, and I do wonder if this is somewhat influenced by this cult around his personality and the good deeds he is doing from a societal standpoint. If you look at him from a purely footballing point of view, he can play amazingly well, and have some great games, but dear me can he have some really bad games too, and even on his good games I still question his decision making.

Still, i'd rather he be on my team, than against me that's for sure.

 

[stw2022]

My concern is his base performance level isn’t very high at all. No dispute about what he can be capable of on his day when he’s playing well but his consistency levels have not improved as he’s matured, in fact for one reason or another I think he’s become an increasingly inconsistent player.

That’s why his ‘average’ or his ‘games where he’s not at his best’ are important and some players have ability to still look decent and contribute during those games. When Rashford isn’t excellent he’s awful and there rarely seems to be any middle ground

If we signed someone at his age, with his experience for the fee a ‘brilliant’ 23/24 year old at the top level player with 300 appearances would command I think there’d be far less benefit of the doubt given in regards to being satisfied with his performances. There does seem a sense that as we produced him it’s different. That’s fair enough but the thing I think some struggle with is when that mindset ends and when expectations begin

 

[Lentwood]

I'm not getting into this argument again but all I'll say is this - those posters comparing Rashford with Rooney in any way, shape or form should give up on football and go and watch tennis or something

 

[Speako]

Tony Martial must be leaning back with a cigar and a big wry smile, while he’s reading this thread.

 

[stw2022]

Tony Martial must be leaning back with a cigar and a big wry smile, while he’s reading this thread.

Why? He’s got the same issues yet the difference is you’re not accused of hating the club when you point them out

 

[roonster09]

Wow so toxic.

 

[NasirTimothy]

I haven't said don't criticise him. I too have definitely noticed a drop off from him latter end of season but he's clearly not fit. He's not even running properly in my opinion. Surely most people should be aiming their frustration at Ole for that?

I see it creeping over to the England squad too now and he shouldn't be in it because his performances haven't merited it. I have just checked and only Harry Kane in the entire squad has scored more goals than him this season. Rashford and Calvert Lewin next best with 21 goals in total each and Rashford doesn't even play upfront for us.

Martial has had a shocking season. Rashford has had a bumpy one but he's still delivered good numbers. There's clear bias in our fanbase.

This is a good point. I had no idea that he had the second most amount of goals, which demonstrates that as much as his detractors think there is some kind of conspiracy to protect him from criticism, in truth there is a nefarious collective desire to make him seem worse than he really is, because people can’t handle a footballer using their considerable platform for something constructive.

I’m not accusing anyone on here of this by the way, it’s obvious that fans of the club only want what is best for him and the team. I’m just saying that if people across the country are claiming that he shouldn’t be in the England squad or he shouldn’t start, there are clearly false narratives being built up against him in some quarters, because his output merits inclusion.

 

[amsoUG]

I’m confident once he’s recovered from injury and he’s not carrying knocks that we will see a more consistent Rashford.

You are going to wait for years and possibly he is going to remain 'injured' for years since this injury thing is a SCAM. Playing poorly is down to his decision making which has alot to do with poor awareness and selfishness.

Martial was a case in point but I think most of us have given up on him. Some players just aren't worth the effort.

You must be forgetting that apart from this season, Martial has always had a better return than Rashford.
To tell you the truth, media bias aside, Martial FC 'fandomism' aside, English passion 'merchantism' aside, Martial is a better footballer.

He doesn't need to develop much more. He just needs to get healthy and fully fit.

He's got 21 goals and 16 assists playing poorly. When rubbish players play poorly they don't get anything close to those returns. He has despite very bumpy performances which suggests the quality is there.

G/As are very deceptive - that's why many agree that Sancho, Grealish, Mason Mount & Foden performed and seem to be better footballers than Rashford even with fewer G/As. He does need to develop much more because the lads in his position know how to play ball and don't go hunting for stats.

 

[roonster09]

G/As are very deceptive - that's why many agree that Grealish, Mason Mount & Foden performed and seem to be better footballers than Rashford even with fewer G/As. He does need to develop much more because the lads in his position know how to play ball and don't go hunting for stats

Or players and few can see how different their roles are. Rashford is considered as attacker/forward. Grealish, Mount, Foden are not, they are more creators or part of midfield than attacking trio.

 

[NasirTimothy]

You are going to wait for years and possibly he is going to remain 'injured' for years since this injury thing is a SCAM. Playing poorly is down to his decision making which has alot to do with poor awareness and selfishness.



You must be forgetting that apart from this season, Martial has always had a better return than Rashford.
To tell you the truth, media bias aside, English passion 'merchantism' aside, Martial is a better footballer.


G/As are very deceptive - that's why many agree that Grealish, Mason Mount & Foden performed and seem to be better footballers than Rashford even with fewer G/As. He does need to develop much more because the lads in his position know how to play ball and don't go hunting for stats.

This is a very poor post IMO

 

[Vault Dweller]

Can't see him reaching Rooney's level? We are talking about arguably the best English player in last 20 years or one of the best, ManUtd top scorer and England's too and that without playing as out and out striker. Incredible player with insane work rate, like attacking mid but with scoring rate of strikers.

Forget Rashford, none of the players in the squad can reach Rooney's level maybe except Greenwood.

Problem with fans is, the people who say they don't rate Rashford are the ones who compare him with Rooney and Ronaldo. Ofcourse everyone is average when compared to them.

Rooney is one of the best I've ever seen in the flesh. I love Rashford but he's nowhere near as good. Especially in his younger years, Rooney was unstoppable at times.

 

[amsoUG]

Or players and few can see how different their roles are. Rashford is considered as attacker/forward. Grealish, Mount, Foden are not, they are more creators or part of midfield than attacking trio.

Football has evolved past such definitive roles, otherwise Ole would not be laughing at jurnos who refer to Bruno as an MF or AMF, before he tells them that he plays as a forward/striker.

One's ability can of course skew a role so that the team plays to their strengths like CR7, Mbappe, Neymar, Messi, Salah, Mane - but Rashford has not yet refined his ability.He is currently using selfishness to skew the role. There is a 50/50% chance that it could work as we saw with Ronaldo in his early years, but football has changed so much over the years.

Otherwise nearly all of his English mates who play in the same position are seemingly better footballers at this moment in time.