Marcus Rashford is a man who seems to live his sporting life as two people.
No, he’s not Spider-Man or some other kind of superhero. Even if the way he started his senior Manchester United career seemed like something straight out of a comic book. If the late, great Stan Lee had come up with a young footballer who debuted out of absolutely nowhere in a knockout European tie and scored twice to win his side the game before, a few days later, slamming another brace past rivals Arsenal, and then later that same season slotted home the winner in a heated local derby, people would have laughed at him.
Rashford’s debut was so absurd people assumed it inspired FIFA’s ‘The Journey’ feature to take their story mode to the next level and introduce the character of Alex Hunter. But besides the impact it had on the footballing world, there’s the sheer level of talent involved from Rashford.
To have the nerve to bag two key goals in Europe on your debut as an 18-year-old (it took Cristiano Ronaldo over three seasons to score his first Champions League goals) defies any reasonable expectations. To follow it with another brace (and a well-judged assist!) defies words.
Rashford was fearless and fearsome. Here was a young striking prospect that England could rally behind. Here was someone who could become a devastating partner for Harry Kane (who back then was busy proving he was no one season wonder) in time.
And then, it didn’t happen. Rashford spent so much of his time playing wide-left for Manchester United that his edge dulled. Sure, he is still a technically great footballer but he lacks the ruthlessness he showed in those two first matches. Watching him for United, he looks like a player that will get through on goal and, more often than not, panic and miss his shot. He appears to be a player overthinking things.
It would be churlish to lay this all at the feet of José Mourinho, but let’s be churlish for a minute here because what the hell has been done to Rashford? It’s ridiculous that one would take such a bright and vibrant attacking talent and drain so much of the joy from his game.
It’s not just that Mourinho has played Rashford wide. Plenty of players can start “wide” and still not have their senses dulled (e.g. Kylian Mbappé); it’s the role he’s asked to play. Too much is being demanded of young Rashford. Too much defensive work. And sure, he does it because he’s just that kind of kid, but is it any surprise that he then has nowhere near enough air left in his lungs to finish clinically?
Many will rush to Mourinho’s defence here, but the simple retort to those people is: look at Rashford for England. Is that the same player you see every week for Manchester United? Or does that look much more like the Marcus Rashford who ended his first season with eight goals in 18 games? Anyone with an ounce of truth in their soul will answer the latter.
Rashford looks overjoyed to play for England. He plays wide, sure, but he does so with less defensive responsibility and more trust in attack. He’s also playing for a team that keep the ball on the ground and get it moving.
With Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane, Rashford has like-minded forwards who are all about interplay and ball movement. No one hogs the ball, no one dithers, and no one is there trying to play a completely different style of football to him.
Rashford can make mistakes, sure. His miss against Croatia was poor and more indicative of the United Rashford. But don’t forget how very, very young he is. After all, he’s only just turned 21 – there is so much more room for him to grow, and even still he produces.
In the Uefa Nations League group stage, England scored four goals against Spain and Rashford scored or assisted three of them. His role running off the ball was key to the Three Lions ripping Spain to pieces on the break in a display more full of verve and intent than any in United red since his debut season. Even against Croatia, where he failed to score, he produced a pulsating performance that stirred the soul. If this was the kind of player England have at their disposal then just imagine the great things that could be achieved.
Now we whiplash back to the club game, and await to see Rashford’s mild-mannered alter ego either sat on the bench waiting for a late cameo or starting in a defensively constraining role. Either way, even with the No.10 shirt on his back, it will be decidedly underwhelming and leave us all asking when will Rashford escape Mourinho’s tyranny and be able to live his whole footballing life as the superhero we all know he can be?
The post The tonal whiplash of watching Marcus Rashford appeared first on Squawka News.
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