Marcus Rashford’s performances for Manchester United have been labelled as “heartbreaking” by former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp. The 26-year-old forward was substituted in the 80th minute of his team’s 1-1 draw with Brentford on Saturday after a disappointing display. Rashford has faced criticism for his form this season, with just eight goals and six assists in 36 appearances. Redknapp expressed sadness at seeing Rashford struggle and stated that he wants to see more from the talented player.
Redknapp highlighted Rashford’s abilities, describing him as a player with “god-given talent” who possesses incredible physical attributes, including speed, dribbling skills, and shooting ability. Rashford scored 30 goals last season but has only managed to find the back of the net eight times this season, with seven goals in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup. Redknapp believes that Rashford does not appear to be enjoying his football at the moment, which is disheartening considering his immense talent.
Dion Dublin also joined in and expressed his desire to see Rashford smiling and enjoying his football again. Dublin acknowledged that Rashford possesses natural talent and has the ability to do great things on the pitch. He urged Rashford to find joy in playing the game once more, as it would lead to him scoring goals and becoming one of the best players in the world on the left-hand side of the field.
In the match against Brentford, Rashford failed to make an impact despite having 53 touches of the ball. He was substituted for Mason Mount, who went on to score what seemed to be a stoppage-time winner. However, Brentford equalized in the 99th minute through Kristoffer Ajer, resulting in dropped points for Manchester United.
The draw with Brentford has dealt a blow to United’s aspirations for Champions League qualification. They are now eight points behind fifth-placed Tottenham and 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with only nine games remaining in the season. However, United still have a chance to win the FA Cup, as they face Coventry in the semi-final on April 21.
Overall, the disappointment surrounding Rashford’s recent performances is evident. His lack of enjoyment on the pitch and failure to replicate his previous goal-scoring form has raised concerns among fans and pundits alike. The hope is that Rashford can rediscover his love for the game and showcase his immense talent once again, becoming a force to be reckoned with on the left flank for Manchester United.