How concerned should we be about Rashford's form?

[Carl]

Rashford has been awful since returning from his, serious, back injury. RVP went on record to say that after his back/spine injury he felt/carried it with him for the rest of his career.

So my question is that really - is this just a cold spell from Rashford or are we looking at something more serious here linked to his back fracture?

 

[LuisNaniencia]

The front 3 need competition.

 

[KennyBurner]

He doesn't run anymore which is the worrying part. He wasn't terrible today but its obvious he just isnt the same vibrating plater of the past.

 

[Carl]

The front 3 need competition.

I dont buy that his form is down to a lack of competition. That being said, I dont think anyone on this forum would disagree that we need to add to the front 3.

 

[Godfather]

Very.

 

[Hugh Jass]

He has been poor since returning but today i would forgive him. He was barely getting the ball at all. The same with Martial, in that he barely touched the ball.

I think really it was in MF where we lost it today. Pogba was outworked by the Palace MFs and Mctominah can only pass it sideways.

Having said that, Rashford would want to return to pre injury form asap. I think he should just concentrate on his football for now and not his off the field exploits.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Really concerned. The drop in form is alarming. Think it is all linked to that injury.

 

[gormless]

I’ll judge in a year. Not the same as pre injury when he was our best player, clearly, but he’s come back from a serious back injury so it’s excusable his form would be poor for a few months. The whole team is not match fit at the moment.

I don’t think it’s out the realms of possibility that a back injury has a permanent effect on him though

 

[3KDré]

Rashford has been awful since returning from his, serious, back injury. RVP went on record to say that after his back/spine injury he felt/carried it with him for the rest of his career.

So my question is that really - is this just a cold spell from Rashford or are we looking at something more serious here linked to his back fracture?

I think he said that it took him a year to adjust afterwards. This is why Sancho would be really important. Can play either side to a great level. We got him this stress fracture from playing him through injury but currently we have no option but to play him even more which I don't think will help him at all.

 

[BluesJr]

Might be an idea to sell at the end of the season if this form continues. Get ahead of it before he comes yet another useless asset we hold onto for too long.

 

[PoTMS]

Why does he play as a left midfielder? Surely our coaching staff have told him to get forward more.

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

This is his level. The 3 months in 2019 was a purple patch.

 

[Paxi]

He’s playing as a left midfielder and a provider since he’s been back from his injury. I’d love to see his heat map before and after because he’s clearly playing a different role.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

His outside interests are commendable, but I’d say that maybe it could wait until after his career is done.

He is way off form and needs to knuckle down

 

[el3mel]

It's getting worrying. He has been crap for over 2 months now. Something is pretty wrong with him.

 

[Cassidy]

He’s playing as a left midfielder and a provider since he’s been back from his injury. I’d love to see his heat map before and after because he’s clearly playing a different role.

Yes and its worrying becuae its not working yet Ole has not changed it

 

[Carl]

I think comments suggesting his work to help feed hungry children should take a back seat so he can "knuckle down" on his football are pretty disgusting btw.

 

[JPRouve]

His outside interests are commendable, but I’d say that maybe it could wait until after his career is done.

He is way off form and needs to knuckle down

Feeding kids doesn't seem like the kind of things that can wait until after his career his done. I could be wrong though.

 

[TrustInOle]

His outside interests are commendable, but I’d say that maybe it could wait until after his career is done.

He is way off form and needs to knuckle down

All the families that benefited would argue different.

The fact people think this is the cause of his bad form and not a fracture in his spine is literally bonkers.

 

[Carl]

He’s playing as a left midfielder and a provider since he’s been back from his injury. I’d love to see his heat map before and after because he’s clearly playing a different role.

This is definitely something that's changed. He practically hugs the left touchline, like a traditional winger. Its really weird and definitely doesn't suit him.

 

[Paxi]

Yes and its worrying becuae its not working yet Ole has not changed it

I can’t remember if it coincides with Martial coming back. Maybe he’s playing deeper to accommodate Martial.

 

[Paxi]

This is definitely something that's changed. He practically hugs the left touchline, like a traditional winger. Its really weird and definitely doesn't suit him.

He’s playing deeper as well imo.

 

[AFC NimbleThumb]

Playing far too deep & cautiously.

 

[Oldyella]

Very.

Very very.

 

[Martial'sEmergingSmile]

For whatever reason - back, confidence, complacency - he literally walks through every match. A passenger. Our forward options are so bad that there's just no competition, but at this point it might be addition by subtraction.

4-4-2 diamond next game with Greenwood and Martial up front.

 

[Tiber]

Extremely. He has been very poor since returning from injury.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

He seemed to exhibit his inner-Valencia today. Every good position he found himself in, instead of running at his man, he turned back and played a safe square pass. There was no risk or excitement to his game.

Prior to his back injury, at his worst, he was frustrating, but I'd rather see him overrunning the ball out for a goal kick by trying to beat a defender than turning back and passing it to Maguire. I am somewhat concerned, but his injury was a very bad one, he needs time to get going. If his performances are still this blunt by Nov/Dec then I will definitely be very worried about if he will ever return to form.

 

[calodo2003]

Considerably.

 

[Offside]

Very. He’s been absolutely piss poor since he returned from injury. Seriously no better than Obertan.

 

[Carl]

For whatever reason - back, confidence, complacency - he literally walks through every match. A passenger. Our forward options are so bad that there's just no competition, but at this point it might be addition by subtraction.

4-4-2 diamond next game with Greenwood and Martial up front.

We haven't got the fullbacks to play a diamond.

 

[Paxi]

I think comments suggesting his work to help feed hungry children should take a back seat so he can "knuckle down" on his football are pretty disgusting btw.

I know. It’s nothing to do with it at all. Players did PhD’s and DJing amongs other weird and wonderful things while playing football.

 

[Carl]

Very. He’s been absolutely piss poor since he returned from injury. Seriously no better than Obertan.

Lingard is a better option at the moment, which kind of says it all.

 

[Cassidy]

I can’t remember if it coincides with Martial coming back. Maybe he’s playing deeper to accommodate Martial.

He was playing with Martial start of the season and playing as a wide forward and also when Martial came back. Its only changed when he did his back in.

 

[Desert Eagle]

He has been playing first team football since van goal was here. Not a great shooter or passer. His game intelligence is poor and his workrate has dramatically dropped recently. So yeah nothing to worry about

 

[Mcking]

He genuinely offers no more than Daniel James lately. He just spends all the game receiving the ball in front of the opposing fullback and then passing infield. Completely useless.

 

[pacifictheme]

He has been poor since returning but today i would forgive him. He was barely getting the ball at all. The same with Martial, in that he barely touched the ball.

I think really it was in MF where we lost it today. Pogba was outworked by the Palace MFs and Mctominah can only pass it sideways.

Having said that, Rashford would want to return to pre injury form asap. I think he should just concentrate on his football for now and not his off the field exploits.

Oh good another one. It's more likely linked to his injury than his charity work.

 

[Paxi]

He was playing with Martial start of the season and playing as a wide forward and also when Martial came back. Its only changed when he did his back in.

Fair enough. I couldn’t remember anyway.

 

[Offside]

Rashford was getting such flack last season until a very good performance against Pool then a very good run of form. He seems to struggle with confidence dramatically.

 

[Adam-Utd]

This is definitely something that's changed. He practically hugs the left touchline, like a traditional winger. Its really weird and definitely doesn't suit him.

He’s playing deeper as well imo.

He's probably subconsciously playing further away from the defenders so he doesn't get clattered. I'd say he's got a bit of post injury PTSD and he's now getting in space where he can turn and not get clattered into his back.

Maybe they've told him he needs to protect it just in case? Either way he's not playing anywhere near like before.

 

[Berbasbullet]

Can we criticise Rashford without mentioning his charity work? Thanks.

Needs to do more, I’m worried about him as he keeps having quiet games.