You seem very keen to dismiss anything about death being a probable factor in him looking like football is the last thing on his mind, but humour me, and let’s say that it is a part of the issue. Does your stance change?
I think it’s a perfectly logical and reasonable set of questions I’ve asked; if Rashford is so out of sorts, why have him out there? Is he this shit all week in training or not? If he gives ample evidence he’s more likely to be a liability than an asset, why continually put him out in his current state?
I’m not interested in excitability around this topic and I’m not emotionally invested in him so not championing him. Cold, hard logic boils down to questions and answers. Outcry over how bad he is doesn’t provide solutions. In fact, this is very binary: is he ok to field, or is he not? That’s not a question for Rashford either; it’s those who handle and assess that need to determine that. I’d get it if we were on a few games, but we’re not, and it looks like he’s at the lowest point of all according to that last game. You get to the bottom of that and act accordingly, you certainly don’t just roll him out again hoping for a different outcome.
I respect your opinion so apologies if I sound arsey. My writing style is more abrupt when participate in forums as I don't have much time.
Of course my stance would change if the death of his cousin affected him and his ability to play for us to the required standard but the points that I have made are that his energy levels and application on the pitch have been terrible for much of the last few seasons.
Ok-he had a good season last year but remember during the pandemic when his body language was being picked upon by pundits as well as his lack of energy on the pitch? At the time, it was revealed later that he was playing through an injured shoulder.
Then more recently it was "revealed" that he had broken up with his childhood sweetheart with the implication being that this was affecting his form.
ETH seems so far to be intent on playing Rashford into form-I think he's pretty much said that. I don't agree with that strategy but ETH knows more about football and players than I do and so I still trust him even though I don't agree with him.
I don't know what Rashford is seeing in training and none of us are privy to the events leading upto match day which helps to shape the manager's decisions.
I can imagine our dressing room is toxic with the likes of Martial still hanging around and the fall out of Sancho being visibly excluded from the first team squad.
Your fundamental question about why Rashford is still picked despite being crap is a question that seems to always hang around our club and our recent managers. We have a number of players who tend to get game time despite not being deemed worthy of that by the majority of the fan base.
Bruno may arguably fall into that category as he often has some absolute shockers of a performance but the difference with him is that, for the most part, he does put the effort in on the pitch even if it doesn't always come off.